Written by WVUA 23 News Reporter Zoe Blair
Eight local entrepreneurs won awards valued at $26,750 to support their businesses in the 2024 Tuscaloosa Innovation Community Business Plan Competition.
The annual competition supports local business owners and business hopefuls. Thirteen teams from the local community pitched their ideas to the judges in his 10 minutes. She was then exposed to 15 minutes of questioning from the judges.
The competition was attended by presenters hoping to get support to start a business, as well as those looking for funding to expand their current business.
Nikeah Leech, owner of Sweet Dreamz Delivered, said: “We get asked all the time if we can host private events like wedding brunches, and even some factories ask us to participate.”
Leach finished second and won $3,000. She also won $750 as a crowd favorite.
The grand prize of $10,000 went to Delightful Cookies & Treats, and owner Pamela Dobbins says the money will go a long way for her business.
“This makes a lot of sense for me to grow my business,” she said. “It actually allows me to do a few things other than hire another employee and contribute more to the community. I have always been involved in fundraising for the community for the past three years. We’ve been involved, so we can reach more people in the community.”
The complete list of winners includes:
- Grand Prize, $10,000: Fun Cookies and Treats, Pamela Dobbins
- First Prize, $5,000: Cookie Boutique and Bakery, Jasmine Robertson Warren.
- 2nd Place, $3,000: Sweet Dreamz Delivered, Nikeah Leech
- 3rd Place, $2,000: Mayru Transport, Amanda Langford
- Regional Entrepreneurship Award, $2,000: Tripartite Partnership
- B. More, Sarah Denton Cox
- Kerr Gross, Carlos Rosas, Karim Hassan
- Atelete's Inc+, Donnie Lee, Gal Tagovailoa
- Crowd Favorite, $750: Sweet Dreamz now available
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