Linn Area Credit Union has partnered with NewBo City Market to host the second annual Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Summit on Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23.
Friday features a business development summit at NewBo City Market, providing novice entrepreneurs and interested community members with networking opportunities, business development resources, and seminars.
On Saturday, finalists competing for the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year award will showcase their businesses by selling their products or services at the Market. The public is invited to meet the finalists and support their favorite startup by shopping, because the total sales for each competitor will be factored into the judging that takes place afterward.
Saturday will culminate in a pitch-style presentation by the finalists with a panel of business development specialists that will select the Linn Area Credit Union Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. The winner of the competition will receive a rent-free space for a year inside NewBo City Market, courtesy of Linn Area Credit Union.
“We’re excited to sponsor the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Summit again this year,” said Andrea Brommelkamp, Member Development Ambassador for Linn Area Credit Union. “We support the mission of NewBo City Market, and this is a great opportunity for local entrepreneurs to access the resources they need to succeed and move their startup to the next level.”
In 2023, restaurateur and chef Kwai Butler was named the Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year. Chef Kwai opened Oja, a Korean-inspired restaurant, in her rent-free space at NewBo City Market on June 1, 2023. She also received one-on-one business-development mentoring from the Market and Linn Area Credit Union.
“We probably wouldn’t have gotten here and started our own business without winning this (competition),” said Kwai. “If you have an idea, but you don’t know how to move it forward, Emerging Entrepreneur is a great opportunity.”