On October 6th, 2022, Business Impact NW awarded $36,000 to small businesses from across the Pacific Northwest during their annual business pitch competition. It was the 7th annual Impact Pitch Competition, presented by Harborstone Credit Union.
2022 Grand Prize Winners
This year, there were over 100 entrepreneurs that applied for the Impact Pitch competition. The process is a 5-month-long, intensive program where business owners pair with a business coach to build a strong business plan, business model, tune their finances, and ultimately - their final business pitch.
Only 10 finalists made it to the final round and pitched live from Imperia Lake Union on Thursday night. The candidates competed for the ‘Audience Favorite Video Award’, ‘Best Startup/Idea Phase Business Award’, ‘Best Early Stage Business Award’, and ‘Best Established Business Award'. The finalists presented their best pitches to our panel of expert judges, but only 3 were awarded the grand prizes. Here they are below:
Peer Review Commons
Best Startup Business Award Winner
This years 'Best Startup Business Award' winner is Dr. M.K Ward of Peer Review Commons. After years in academic research and university leadership, Dr. M.K. Ward and Brad Birt dreamed of a better way to reward reviewers for checking research quality. Peer Review Commons is an online marketplace of researchers and expert reviewers that's designed to reward experts for their reviews and expedite scientific discovery.
With their win, they'll be able to support quality research at scale!
No Judgement Fitness
Best Early Stage Business Award Winner
This year’s 'Best Early Stage' Business Award goes to Sophia Walker of No Judgement Fitness. No Judgement Fitness is a gym in White Center, Seattle offering personal training and classes capped at 6 attendees.
The gym prides itself on being a judgement-free zone, accepting of people of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. With their win, they'll be able to grow and welcome more people into their space!
UVA Furem Winery
Best Established Business Award Winner
This year’s 'Best Established' Business Award Winner is Jens Hansen of UVA Furem Winery. The business is built out of Black Diamond, WA. They are a 100% service disabled Veteran-owned business. They are family-owned and the creation of two Air Force Veteran brothers, Jens and T.J. Hansen.
With their win, they'll be able to continue growth in hosting events in their space, selling local, quality wines, and more!
Audience Favorite Video Award: Civic Roasters
Community Impact Award Winners
With our mission to support and fund historically underbanked entrepreneurs, Business Impact NW also awarded the following small businesses a $1,000 Community Impact Award.
