An event that helped Milwaukee businesses including Pete's Pops and Triciclo Peru get their start awarded more than $25,000 Wednesday evening to eight new businesses.
The Rev-UP MKE Pitch Competition run by the community nonprofit group Near West Side Partners Inc. (NWSP) returned after a two-year hiatus. It was held at the Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee.
Vertical Essence Dance Co. took home the top $10,000 prize, plus an additional $1,000 for earning the Town Bank Audience Choice award. Led by Candanisha Bishop, the organization uses dance to positively engage youth.
As the winning company, Vertical Essence Dance Co. will receive support with opening a space on the near west side. It currently operates at a location on North 27th Street, according to its website, but it intends to open a larger space to accommodate more dancers and classes, a press release states.
In addition to the cash prize, Bishop wins $25,000 in in-kind services including architectural renderings, small business consulting and legal services.
The other participating businesses that received awards were:
- Jvst Beauty, a Black-woman-owned beauty supply store owned by Briana McQuay, was named runner-up and earned $4,000.
- Vibez Creative Arts Space, a community arts business with a location in Greendale, took home $3,000.
- Atomix Logistics, an e-commerce logistics startup that moved to the near west side last year, won $2,500.
- Fruition MKE, a creative co-working space planned within a $16 million redevelopment project that's underway, received $2,000.
- Gray Jett Cafe, a vegan food provider owned by Shana Gray and Andren Jett, won $1,000 as a finalist.
- The Pop Up, an entrepreneurship support platform conceived by Mario Diaz Herrera, won $1,000 as a finalist.
- Pressed Café, a collaborative coffee hub that provides youth employment opportunities and an 18-month apprenticeship program called Fueled Impact, won $1,000 as a finalist. It's run by Shayvon McCullum.
