Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit – Moline, IL
September 12, 2023 | News & Press Releases
Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit – Moline, IL
Announcing the Top 15 Pitch Competitors
The Hy-Vee Inclusive Business Summit will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at The University Club in Moline, IL. The summit is a free, daylong professional development expo and a pitch competition. After receiving over 70 pitch applications, 15 minority- or women-owned businesses have been selected to participate in one of three pitch competition categories to showcase their products or services. A panel of judges will select one winner of the $30,000 grand prize, and one business from each category will win $5,000. Additional cash investments may be awarded. To register for the expo visit: https://www.hy-veeopportunitysummit.com/
The following businesses have been selected to present during the pitch competition:
Business: Desserts By Design
Owner: Melissa Childs
Location: Ottumwa, IA
Desserts By Design is a state-licensed home bakery specializing in desserts that enable people with food allergies to fully participate in celebrations, gatherings or even just the simple pleasure of having a sweet treat while shopping at the local farmer's market with friends.
Business: Bao Destination, LLC
Owner: Vivian Doctora
Location: Bloomington, IL
Vivian created Bao Destination to share one of her favorite childhood memories with her community — making bao.
Business: DogGurt, LLC
Owner: Amanda Colanino
Location: Bellevue, NE
DogGurt is an all-natural frozen treat available in six dog-approved flavors. Made with organic ingredients, DogGurt is hand-mixed, hand-scooped and contains no added sugar or preservatives.
Business: GoPo Gourmet Popcorn
Owner: Brooke Bartlett
Location: St. Fulton, MO
GoPo Gourmet Popcorn offers small-batch popcorn in various sweet and salty flavors that will satisfy any craving. Each unique flavor is air-popped to perfection.
Business: Origami Foods, LLC
Owner: Barbara Kaptanian-Ruth
Location: Edwards, IL
Origami Foods' distinct chili crisp is unlike standard condiments, blending chilies and seasonings, bringing unparalleled flavor to each plate.
Business: Autistic & Loved, LLC
Owner: Dr. Kit Evans-Ford
Location: Davenport, IA
Autistic & Loved creates chewable jewelry and gifts affirming love for autistic children and families. The business storefront, opening in the fall of 2023, will serve as a hub for parents to connect, find support and receive resources for their children with autism.
Business: ATStudy Buddy
Owner: Allison Strickland
Location: North Liberty, IA
ATStudy Buddy is an online platform designed to help athletic training students study for the BOC exam. ATStudy Buddy is affordable, easy-to-use and accessible on all devices, meeting the needs of Gen Z students.
Business: Sensiil Studios
Owner: Basi White
Location: Des Moines, IA
Sensiil Studios, Iowa's first black comic book company, brings black science fiction to the graphic novel industry.
Business: Saltwater Solutions, LLC
Owner: Vontrice Jones
Location: Geneseo, IL
Saltwater Solutions is an innovative saltwater equipment company and the creator of the patent-pending fish feeder called the Nori Nibbler. The Nori Nibbler provides a better way to feed nori seaweed sheets to saltwater fish.
Business: Green Current Solutions
Owner: Tammy Becker
Location: Moline, IL
Green Current Solutions (GCS) is a certified women-owned and managed business that creates custom, injection molded pallets using 100% recycled HDPE, using a portion of Ocean Bound Plastics collected at Living Lands & Waters’ river cleanups.
Business: Bloom
Owner: Joslyn Hawkins
Location: Deep River, IA
A food truck like any other, Bloom services rural Iowa communities by providing access to fresh and nutritious snacks and treats. It aims to increase education about whole foods and wellness that "blooms from within."
Business: Love Always, Abby
Owner: Abby Schlueter
Location: Quincy, IL
Love Always, Abby is an e-commerce store that handcrafts and ships preserved rose arrangements across the U.S. With little care, the genuine, carefully preserved roses last a year or more.
Business: Golden Bridges Inc.
Owner: Suzanne Ellerbrock
Location: Quincy, IL
As senior and specialty move managers, Golden Bridges' mission is to provide solutions for seniors in times of transition. Golden Bridges helps seniors navigate life by assisting them with downsizing, organizing, relocating or aging in place.
Business: The Joy of Curls, LLC
Owner: Joy Hankins
Location: Des Moines, IA
The Joy of Curls is a plant-based textured hair company that uses the finest ingredients in nature to nourish hair and skin. Due to the clean ingredients, The Joy of Curls products are multi-use and enjoyed by kids and caregivers, simplifying grooming routines for the whole family.
Business: Quad Cities Music Therapy
Owner: Misty M. Dais
Location: Moline, IL
Quad City Music Therapy believes everyone should have access to meaningful and beneficial experiences with music. It offers music therapy services and adaptive music lessons to children and adults with special needs.