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By: Katherine West

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Grand Valley State University students, staff and faculty members who are a fan of the show Shark Tank will enjoy what is coming to campus: the finals for the Michigan Women’s Foundation event, called the Entrepreneur You Business Plan and Pitch Competition.

Ten finalists will present their business plans to the panel of judges on Oct. 16. These finalists have been chosen from the dozens of people who submitted their plans initially. They will compete for over $50,000 in cash prizes. In addition to the cash prizes, the finalists will contend for complimentary support services and technical assistance to utilize in the growth of their businesses.

The finalists of the Entrepreneur You Business Plan and Pitch Competition represent a broad array of companies. Liz Bartlett will represent her company KNITit, which supplies customized 3D knit products and spreads the knowledge of weft knit technology. Julie Fox will be present for Free Love Bakery, a producer of high quality, gluten-free and allergen friendly food. Also advocating for those with gluten allergies, Nikki Thompson Frazier’s Sweet Encounter is a start-up bakery providing gluten free and vegan desserts. Ellie Frey will act for Successful Generations, a supporter of high-quality, age-appropriate curriculum and activities involving spending, saving, giving and investing.

Elise Hubbard Kutt is a part of Mod-Bettie: A Portrait Boutique, which offers a contemporary glamour, boudoir and retro styled photography experience complete with hair and makeup. Valerie Obenchain will speak for Advanced Interactive Response Systems, a company that creates high quality safety products that remotely monitor oxygen supplies. Samantha Pina is the representative of Revolve Replication. Revolve Replication creates specialized computer aided design and 3D scanner and software for independent jewelers, allowing the replication of pre-existing jewelry.

Sarah Rickerd is part of Carry Your Heart Jewelry & Gifts. Carry Your Heart will design a retail line of distinctive, meaningful, jewelry and gifts for bereaved parents and their support communities. Evelyn Ritter is representing UMP Analytical, a chemical testing company that connects the expertise within academia to the needs of the industry. Fluition, a medical rehabilitation device design and supply, will be represented by Briauna Taylor. The company has redesigned the sit-to-stand device.

“The Entrepreneur You Business Plan and Pitch Competition exemplifies the mission of the Michigan Women’s Foundation, to ensure a promising future for our state’s women and girls,” said Carolyn Cassin, CEO of MWF, in a recent press release.

“I think attendees at the pitch competition, and the preceding Dolphin Tank event, will be very impressed by the passion and ingenuity of the selected finalists. The West Michigan business community has a bright future ahead with these women taking the lead.”

West Michigan Business Plan and Pitch Competition judges are Catherine Creamer of eMerge, Jeanne Englehart of ETC Consulting, Cynthia Kay of Cynthia Kay & Co., Bill Walker of Legacy Trust and Beverly Wall of Languages International.

Bartlett, Fox, Obenchain, Pina, Ritter and Taylor recently participated in the Dolphin Tank portion of the competition. This was new to the competition this year and is a gentler version of the show Shark Tank. This allowed finalists to practice their pitch presentation and receive constructive feedback from a panel of select area business leaders before the final competition.

West Michigan Dolphin Tank panelists included Roger Jansen of Spectrum Health, Amy Millman of Springboard Enterprises, Jamie Mills of JRM Holdings and Marge Byington Potter of Continental Rail Gateway.

The competition will take place at the Seidman Center in Grand Rapids on Oct. 16 from 8 p.m. to noon. It is free and open to the public.