2025 Pitch Night Grand Finale

It has taken almost one year to get here, but the field has been set for Umpqua Growth Talk’s Grand Finale Pitch Night October 23 at Backside Brewing in Roseburg.

First and second place finishers from each of the previous three events will compete for their share of $10,000 in prize funds.

Pitch Night is a program of the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership. “This is the big finish to another exciting year of discovering and supporting some of the best new businesses in Douglas County,” said UEDP Executive Director Brian Prawitz. “Our pitchers, coaches, judges, and sponsors have all been committed to this process since the beginning of the year. It will be fun to see how it all shakes out.”

Ryan and Kellen Cram earned first place honors March 6 with their presentation of Good Vibes Foam Party. Joy Marlow of Infinity Professional Cleaners also qualified for the finals with her second place finish that night.

Wyatt Bradley of Wyatt’s Waterfowl Co, and Jill Fay of Better Together Events & Rentals were the top finishers at the June 26 Pitch Night event, sending them to the October finals.

The final two slots were filled September 4 when Amanda Nash Shields of Public Spectacle and Desirae Morin of Cattle Dogs Golf Center were declared the top two finishers.

Now, all six participants will prepare their presentations for what promises to be an exciting finish to the Pitch Night year. Like the previous three events, each finalist will have 5 minutes to present their business to a panel of judges in front of a live audience. Judges will have 5 minutes to question each presenter.

The first place finisher will receive $5,000 and the title of 2025 Pitch Night Champion. $2,500 will go the second-place finisher, and $1,250 will be awarded to the third-place finisher and the Audience Choice winner for a total of $10,000.

Throughout 2025, The Partnership received 48 applications from business owners throughout Douglas County through the Pitch Night website www.umpquagrowthtalks.com. At Pitch Night events this year, 17 business owners were given the chance to promote their ideas, leading to increased exposure, connections with additional resources, and advice from coaches. The goal is to help each business find success beyond their pitch night experience.

Since its inception in 2019, Pitch Night events have surpassed $100,000 in support for local entrepreneurs, thanks to a long list of sponsoring companies and organizations.

Audience registration for the October 23 event is now open. Tickets are free, but attendees are asked to RSVP.

For more information on how to apply, sponsor, or attend Pitch Nights, visit www.umpquagrowthtalks.com.

Host or Publisher Umpqua Economic Development Partnership