On August 13, 2020, the SEED Center hosted the 8th Annual Business Pitch competition. Winners in each division were awarded $5000 and in-kind counseling in accounting and marketing.

“The Business Incubator Business Pitch Competition is a premier showcase for up and coming entrepreneurs.  The diversity of ideas on display clearly demonstrates that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and flourishing in Southwest Louisiana.  This year's competition is confirmation of that fact. The winners and finalists will now move forward to take advantage of the resources available to them in the Incubator on SWLA Alliance for Economic Development" Adrian Wallace, Executive Director, The SEED Center Business Incubator

Last night's winners (pictures attached):

• High School: Foods Can Heal (Austin Dellafosse)
• College: Moochee (Ryan Robeldo, Frank Oblama, and Sarah Stafford)
• Technology: Wildlife Conservation Tech (Cody Ardoin, Lance Ardoin, Spencer Urdiales, Corey Brown, and Jessie Paxton)
• General Business: Dietitians at Home (Tabitha Nicholas)

We believe wholeheartedly that supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs is one of the most effective ways of stimulating economic growth and job creation in our communities. We have been a supporter of the competition for several years and have seen first-hand the entrepreneurial energy and power right here in Southwest Louisiana. – Sarah Hughes, Sasol Corporate Affairs

Judges at the event were

• Edwina Medearis of Medearis Costumes, Gifts & Balloons, and Tux Plus;
• Gary Gobert of Lake City Trucking;
• and Peter O'Carroll of O'Carroll Group.

Calcasieu Parish's C-Gov taped the event, and the event aired live on Facebook on the SEED Center and SWLA Economic Development Alliance pages.

The Event’s Title Sponsor was Sasol Lake Charles.

The Event’s Presenting Sponsor was Capital One Bank.

Other sponsors of last night's event were Lake Charles Coca-Cola, O'Carroll Group, McNeese Foundation, and J. Walker & Company.

For more information please contact Adrian L. Wallace, Executive Director of the SEED Center Business Incubator, at awallace@allianceswla.org or 337-433-0977 Ext. 2201.