ABERDEEN, S.D. — The Northern Innovation and Startup Center and the Aberdeen Development Corporation have announced the finalists and honorable mentions for the 2026 Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition. The finalist pitch event will take place Monday, June 29, beginning at 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Four businesses have been selected as finalists to pitch their concept live at a free community event June 29th and compete for the top prize of $10,000, sponsored by the Aberdeen Development Corporation:
- Abode Chiropractic - Marquelle Reid
- CR8 Soda - Madi Jones
- Everlasting Bloom - Jessica Cihak
- Opus ABA LLC - David Jakybowicz
Five additional businesses received honorable mention recognition:
- Black Crown Group - Tyler McGee
- Fund My Team - Sam Tremelling
- Midwest Mind & Body Center LLC - Joshua Dennert
- Table and Trade - John Ellis
- The Prairie Play Café - Maria Gotay
Finalists were selected by six judges representing business, community organizations, and local founders from across the region:
- Paul Forst, Agtegra Cooperative
- Lee Kessler, RhodesAnderson Insurance
- Troy McQuillen, McQuillen Creative
- Scott Noeldner, Primrose Retirement Communities
- Laure Swanson, Governor's Office of Economic Development
- Kelly Weaver, Small Business Development Center
"The finalist event is one of the most exciting nights of the year because it gives our region a chance to rally around entrepreneurship in a very real way," said Bea Smith, director of the Northern Innovation and Startup Center. "These finalists are bringing bold ideas, big energy and a willingness to put themselves out there. We can't wait for the community to experience it."
"The Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition is exactly what this community is about — finding bold ideas, backing the people behind them and helping those ideas take root right here in Aberdeen,” said Tim Hanigan, CEO of the Aberdeen Development Corporation. “We are proud to support another strong class of entrepreneurs and look forward to seeing what they bring to the stage on June 29."
The Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition is designed to inspire entrepreneurship, help early-stage businesses refine their plans and advance promising ideas from concept to launch. The competition is hosted by the Northern Innovation and Startup Center and the Aberdeen Development Corporation.
Community members are encouraged to attend the free community event where each finalist will pitch their business on June 29 starting at 4pm. The event will begin with networking, followed by the Finalist Pitches at Engel’s Event Company. To register and for more information, visit www.northernstartupcenter.com/upcoming-events/finalist-event-2026.