Startup Showdown Winners Announced!

(Chattanooga, Tenn.) October 11, 2016 - LAUNCH held their 3rd annual Startup Showdown on Wednesday, October 5, where ten entrepreneurs from their Business Entrepreneurship Academy pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges.

First place and a prize of $2500 went to Pat Rowe, owner and operator of BBQ Rowe, a barbecue catering company that will satisfy your tastes. Pat serves a variety of items, including ribs, pulled pork, turkey legs, and rotisserie chicken.

Second place of $1500 went to Chris Patty, owner of Testimony Printworks, based in Rossville, Georgia. Testimony Printworks is a full service company that can put a logo on just about anything. They produce custom banners, drinkware, t-shirts and other promotional products at an affordable price.

In third place, and awarded $1000, was Meg Brasel with her company TrailDrops, is a full-service outdoor nutrition company providing lightweight, delicious trail meals to hikers. They provide meals for both short and long trips that can be delivered at home, or even on the trail.

In addition, an audience vote for favorite business was held and the People’s Choice Award went to Tara Viland of Arrival Events. With Arrival, Tara provides sensitive and uplifting coordination for those who wish to celebrate the arrival of death and rejoice in the memory of life regardless of spiritual or religious beliefs.

The panel of judges were comprised of Rudy Carrasco, U.S. Regional Facilitator at Partners Worldwide, Maria Noel, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, and entrepreneur Brandon Ellis, owner and operator of Chatter Box Cafe.

Additional participants were Ternae Jordan Jr. and JaMichael Jordan for Miracle Child Media Group, Jacqueline Fields for Inspirations Image Consulting, Ricardo Morris of Renaissance Consulting Management, Eugenia Johnson with I’m a Bossy Girl, Lynda Stephens of Coveralls & Pearls, and Joseph Patty with Rise Above Inflatables.