FIVE FINALISTS NAMED IN MOMENTUM 5x5 PITCH CONTEST

Five finalists will present their business ideas at the Momentum 5x5 Business Pitch Competition at Epworth Heights on August 11. One winner will receive $5,000 in this "Shark Tank"-style event. 

The five finalists announced today are Ludington Cheesecake Co., Made New Naturals, Rare American Woodcraft, Rizzo’s Bread, and The Side Room.

The Chamber Alliance of Mason County proudly leads the Momentum 5x5 program in partnership with Epworth, working together to support aspiring entrepreneurs by providing startup funding and a platform to pitch their business ideas. Epworth generously sponsors both the prize money and the pitch night.

About the Finalists
As a requirement of the competition, eligible contestants must be located in Mason County. Each finalist will have five minutes to pitch their business idea before a panel of judges, comprised of Epworth cottagers, who will decide the winner.

Ludington Cheesecake Co.: specializes in baking cheesecake (whole cakes, slices, bites, bars), and offers layered cakes (strawberries and cream cake, black forest cake, German chocolate cake, etc.), as well as other pastries and desserts.

Made New Naturals: a company that creates handcrafted, tallow-based skincare products.

Rare American Woodcraft: creates beautiful, high-quality, unique furniture and other items using reclaimed wood from building renovations in and around Ludington.

Rizzo’s Bread: a new bread/pasta/pizza company that hosts small pop-ups and visits farmers markets.

The Side Room: a new lounge coming to 222 W. Ludington Ave., serving creative and unique cocktails, Michigan craft beers and wine.

One winner will take home $5,000, and the prize will be used to propel a business idea forward. In addition to the cash prize, the winner will receive in-kind gifts from Epworth:

• An ad in the Epworth Annual.
• An invitation to have a booth at Epworth's early-season open house to inform cottagers about the business.
• An invitation to take the stage at next year's Momentum 5x5 to give an update on the business to the captive audience of both cottagers and Ludington-area public.

To hear presentations from these five contestants, the public is invited to attend pitch night, beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11 at Epworth Heights, 1161 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ludington. In addition, a meet-and-greet will be held with appetizers from Gloria Ann’s Catering.