The Greater Manhattan region once again rallied around emerging startups and small businesses on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at the 6th Annual Startup MHK pitch competition, hosted at People’s State Bank. A panel of five judges selected 14 finalists to compete for a total of $25,000 in award funds. Businesses and startups competed in categories of technical and non-technical, with a third award category for People’s Choice.
Presenting sponsor, People’s State Bank, funded the award dollars for the 6th year in a row. Organizing sponsor, JNT Company, provided promotion and event management support, with event coordination and recruitment support from Spark. Lead-up sponsors include: Addair Law, Able Printing Company, Flint Hills Rental, Konzaware Sustainable Tableware, RC Mcgraws Bar and Grill and Manhattan Brewing Company.
Tech Company Winner: Travis Tannahill, United Risk
United Risk is a software that streamlines the Universal Residential Loan Application. It cross-sells home/auto insurance to all new mortgage loans quickly and easily, allowing partnerships with mortgage companies throughout the country, and allowing additional revenue for the mortgage company.
Non-Tech Business Winner: Tiffany Oppelt, Therapie
Therapie is a Manhattan home-based bakery, specializing in pies, and operating with an e-commerce, wholesale and direct order model. Therapie believes in the therapy that comes from sharing really good pie and the feelings it evokes. Their business advocates for enjoying life, mental & emotional health, and spreading kindness.
People’s Choice Winner: Christian Calliham, Aggieville Showdown
The Aggieville Showdown is like no other cattle show in the nation, started at the Riley County Fairgrounds, developed to celebrate American beef producers while advancing participants’ and the public’s knowledge about the agriculture industry.
Thank you to our Startup MHK judge panel
Aaron Schroeder, co-founder of Piestar and Canopy
George Kandt, Business Retention and Expansion Manager for the City of Manhattan
Coty Beasley, head of product and design and Underline
Allyn Weddle, President of Weddle and Sons, Inc
Clay Griffiths – lead engineer at Gravity Wiz
Congratulations to all the Startup MHK Finalists from the 6th Annual Startup MHK Pitch Competition
13 finalists pitched at Startup MHK this year, from industries representing ag tech, real estate tech, consulting, counseling, food and beverage, medical and recreation. We expect extraordinary things from these entrepreneurs as they continue to grow their businesses with the backing of the Greater Manhattan business community resources.
