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The Jackson County Chamber announced there were 6 finalists for its first ever SPARK Tank entrepreneur pitch competition:
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Brian Snow "World Class Filming Location and Event Space"
Jane Ellery "A PLACE for Change!"
Nathan Otte "School Based Vision Clinic"
Stephanie Strothmann "For Love of Dogs and Beer"
Nadia Herrera "NH by Nadia Herrera"
Jessica Bowman "From Pasture to Plate, a Rural Feast"
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Finalists competed for a total of $15,000.00 in a live SPARK Tank pitch event on February 1, 2024.
Nadia Herrera was awarded the top prize of $10,000 for her idea to launch a Quinceanera boutique.
Stephanie Strothmann was awarded the runner up prize of $5,000 to expand her current venture, I.P.A. Bites.
Dr. Nathan Otte was given a special $5,000 gift by Eddie Murphy (owner of SpaceGuard Products), to launch "School Based Vision Clinic."
The SPARK Tank competition and awards are made possible by a Community Collaboration Fund grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.
Nadia Herrera Luna, SPARK Tank winner, was presented a $10,000 check for her business model "NH by Nadia Herrera." Nadia would like to open her own boutique specializing in quinceanera dresses.
Stephanie Strothmann, runner up winner of SPARK Tank, accepted a check for $5,000 for her business idea, "For Love
of Dogs and Beer." Stephanie Strothmann will expand her production of I.P.A. Bites at her farm, Purple ShamrockFarm.
