.png)
SAGINAW, MI — Saginaw Soup returns Thursday, Nov. 3, with area entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas and competing for cash prizes.
The entrepreneurial pitch competition takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC), upstairs at the SVRC Marketplace, 203 S. Washington Ave. For $5 admission, guests can watch the entrepreneurial pitches made before a panel of judges and vote for their favorite idea.
“There will be three businesses pitching in the competition,” said Courtney Garrett, regional manager of memberships for CMURC.
Shangri’La Candle Co., My Michigan Made and Ultimate Massage and Wellness will compete for a $2,000 first-place cash prize, $1,500 second-place cash prize and People’s Choice Award. May 2022 Saginaw Soup winner Keoshia Banks, founder and CEO of Self-Love Self-Respect Sisterhood Inc., will host the event.
Saginaw Soup aims to support local entrepreneurs who have a dream and a vision for their business but need help bringing it to fruition, according to a CMURC news release. The contest allows aspiring entrepreneurs to present their business concept to a panel in hopes of winning a cash price or investment capital. In addition, the Saginaw Soup committee provides in-depth personalized training opportunities to all participants courtesy of CMURC and SBDC.
“CMURC is one of the partners on the Saginaw Soup committee,” Garrett explained. “All participants in the competition go through our Right Choice Program to prep them for the competition.”
In addition to first- and second-place cash prizes, there’s a People’s Choice award. Audience members will vote for their favorite and the winner will receive the total entry fees collected at the door.
Saginaw Soup is a collaborative effort among Saginaw Future, CMURC, Saginaw Economic Development Corporation, the Small Business Development Center, Saginaw Chamber of Commerce, City of Saginaw and the Bridgeport and Saginaw DDAs.
Find Saginaw Soup on Facebook for more information.