Sweet Encounter pitches winning business idea at Hatched
More than 250 people attend Hatching Finale to support entrepreneurs
LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and Spartan Innovations hosted the Hatching Finale, called “Hatched” on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 at University Club of MSU in Lansing. More than 250 people came to see the 12 Hatching finalists of 2015 compete to win the $10,000 grand prize.
The winning business idea came from Nikki Thompson Frazier, owner of Sweet Encounter, a boutique style gourmet bakery/café specializing in scrumptious, made-from-scratch, gluten-free desserts. Frazier was also the winner of the InnovateHER Challenge, a national business pitch competition hosted by LEAP and the U.S. Small Business Administration held on Nov. 11, 2015.
“Hatched was a phenomenal event that showcased some of the best new ideas and companies in our region. We had a crowd over 250 people in attendance to see and support these new companies. The pitches ranged from medical devices to high fashion dresses, all the way to custom instruments to a gluten free bakery,” said Tony Willis, director of New Economy at LEAP.
The 2015 Hatching finalists were Rob Zondervan, Steri-Dev; Shannon Long, Brew Export; Franz Narowski, Safety Sit; Scott Swarthout, Scratch X; John Foxworth, Cutting the Cable; Lauren Olsen, Remark Clothing; Dave Gutow, Legacy Shave; Sean Fochtman and Caleb Andrew, Spray ‘N’ Play; Alex Smith, Jim Nugent Instrument Works; Matt Carroll, AddMe; Nikki Thompson Frazier, Sweet Encounter; and Connor Sisco and Caroline Deak, PokerFace.
The Title Sponsor and host for Hatched was the University Club of MSU. Other event sponsors include Michigan State University (MSU) College of Engineering, Vertafore, Venturit, MSU Federal Credit Union, MSU Broad College of Business Institute for Entrepreneurship, Lansing Regional SmartZone, Common Wealth Enterprise and Loomis, Ewert, Parsley, Davis & Gotting, P.C.
The Hatching is part of a community-wide effort to support local entrepreneurs and make the Lansing region a great place to start a business. This event helps move new, local business ideas from concept to reality, and provides winners with funding, legal support, market research, office space and more. For more information, click here.
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all—working every day to grow, retain and attract business.
Category: Press Releases, Entrepreneurship