Coming up on Wednesday will be the second annual HYPE competition, put on by the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.
Chamber Event Director Jasmine Hansen tells us HYPE, or Highlighting Young Professional Excellence, will be a chance for budding entrepreneurs to pitch their businesses and plans for expansion to a panel of judges. So, is it like Shark Tank?
“hat’s exactly what it is like,” Hansen said. “So they are pitching their businesses and their stories to encourage the judges to award them up to $15,000. And they’re all phenomenal businesses, phenomenal entrepreneurs. And we’re so excited that they are in the area. They’re expanding their business because expansion means more jobs.”
And more jobs mean economic growth.
Hansen says there will be seven competitors. They are Final Brush LLC, OH Art LLC, Bake Effect, Base Bowls and Company, Rite Innovations, Hello Beautiful Fashion Boutique, and Bare Naked Salts and Soaps. The panel of judges will include the owners of some prominent Southwest Michigan businesses and non-profits.
The winners, in order of first to third place, will receive $15,000, $10,000, and $5,000. The audience will also get to vote on their favorite, and that business will win $2,500.
HYPE will be on Wednesday at the Watermark Solarium in Stevensville with doors opening at 5 p.m. Tickets are available now, and the event will also be streamed lived on the Moody on the Market Facebook page.
