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While pitching her business to a Dubuque crowd on Thursday, Challenge to Change founder Molly Schreiber thanked the audience for keeping an open mind.
“Change makers, that’s what we call anyone who works with Challenge to Change because that’s what they’re doing, and that’s what you’re doing here tonight,” she said. “You’re being an advocate for change in our business community, so thank you.”
Her thanks marked the start of her five-minute pitch that won her first place at the second annual Dubuque County Business Competition, where she presented on her Dubuque-based yoga studio that promotes education around mindfulness.
The competition took place Thursday evening at the Innovation Lab, a Dubuque-based nonprofit dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurship. Fifteen Dubuque County businesses competed in the event.
Those participating ranged anywhere from food and beverage companies to education and engineering services and more. Many brought examples of their work or promotional materials, which they displayed during a “funding fair” that preempted a live pitch event.
Each business received $250 for participating, although all had the chance to compete for additional funding by presenting a live pitch or winning popular-choice votes from the audience.
As the first-place winner, Challenge to Change was awarded $10,000 to support Schreiber’s goal of creating a licensed affiliate program that would train people nationwide to teach their mindfulness curriculum.
The second-place winner, Peosta-based Elev8 Health, received $5,000, and La Venta Cafe, of Dubuque, took home $2,575 for a third-place finish.
Director of Innovation Eric Dregne said the event began last year as a way to uplift local entrepreneurs and highlight the Dubuque area’s vibrant small-business community. It was sponsored by Dupaco Community Credit Union, Dubuque County and others.
“The thing I love about this event is that it helps people see that entrepreneurship is happening in our own community,” he said. “You hear about things like this in Silicon Valley, or a little closer in Madison, (Wis.), but we have a really good business ecosystem right here in Dubuque.”
Sarah White, of Dubuque, was in attendance to promote her new business, Definite Article. She launched the business last year to provide design and publishing assistance for Midwest comic artists, and the event marked her first opportunity to market the business to a larger group.
“I kind of fell backward into this business last year … and now I’m diving in,” she said. “I saw this (event) online and thought it looked like an amazing opportunity.”
Community members were invited to attend and engage with entrepreneurs during the funding fair. Among the crowd were judges who scored each business on its preparedness, business plan and preparation.
The five businesses with the highest score were invited to make a live pitch, in which they were given five minutes to present their business to the entire crowd. A sixth finalist was chosen using votes from the audience.
Tyler Ernzen used his pitch to present on his business, Genuine Landscape & Design, of Holy Cross, Iowa. The business provides landscape consultation, design and installation services with a focus on native, pollinator-friendly plants.
“It’s a seed-funding event, and I’m a landscape nursery, so this seemed like a good way to get some extra seeds,” he joked, drawing a laugh from the crowd.