Three new small businesses are awarded $5,000 to support their continued development.

Event was generously sponsored by West Herr Automotive Group and other local sponsors.

Hamburg, NY – PITCH Hamburg presented the inaugural Community Pitch Event on May 31 at Hilbert College’s Swan Auditorium in Hamburg, NY.

Since December, PITCH Hamburg has been supporting the growth of five emerging Hamburg small businesses with mentorship, programming, and access to the PITCH Hamburg incubator space, located at 40 Main St. in the heart of the Village of Hamburg. The following three businesses were awarded grants of $5,000:
Clean Earth Refillery, founded by Erin Huff, promotes zero waste living by offering customers the opportunity reuse their own containers or purchase reusable containers and refill them with high-quality, everyday products for themselves and their homes, such as laundry detergents, dish soaps, shampoos, conditioners and other household cleaners.

Merit Badge Books is a concept in development for an independent bookstore in the Village of Hamburg, concentrating on new trade books for the whole family. It would amplify what founder Heather Jackson identifies as the “Three Cs”: Community, Curation and Convening.

Our Omphalos, founded by Jennifer Richter, is an Educational Wellness Consulting Company that is committed to providing quality wellness programming for children and schools.

The judges for the event were:

  • Jason Bartz, Director of Portfolio Management, Vero Finance Management & Co-Founder, Good Neighbor Fund
  • Rebecca Brady, CEO, Top Seedz
  • Brad Rowell, Co-Owner, The Grange Community Kitchen, West
  • Rose, The Grange Outpost & Wayland Brewing
  • Carolynn Welch, Executive Director, WEDI

PITCH Hamburg is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the creation of new small businesses that add to the economic vibrancy of Hamburg, NY. It operates through the support of the Town of Hamburg and local sponsors.

West Herr Automotive Group generously served as the Community Pitch Event’s Platinum Sponsor. The event also receives support from the Village of Hamburg, The Sun Publications, Southtown Audio Video, LaBella Associates, Roofs by Bryan, GA Leyonmark Wolf Agency, SPT- Semi Private Training, Moog Inc., Hamburg High School’s Academy of Finance, Blaine Realtors The Bonadio Group, Back to Basics Chiropractic, Hilbert College, Southtowns Regional Chamber of Commerce, Great Erie Federal Credit Union, DeaLeaPhotography, Note Advisors, LLC & Execuly.

Along with the five companies in the first cohort sharing their pitches, two groups of 5th grade students from Charlotte Avenue Elementary School pitched their own ideas for new Hamburg businesses. They were presented with certificates from Town of Hamburg Supervisor, Randy Hoak.

“We have seen so much growth from this cohort of entrepreneurs over the last 6 months. Watching them pitch on stage was so inspiring, we hope everyone left feeling the same way,” said PITCH Hamburg Executive Director Annamaria Masucci. “We are excited to see the future growth of all five businesses, and we look forward to the community welcoming Our Omphalos, Merit Badge Books and Clean Earth Refillery.”

To learn more about PITCH Hamburg, visit www.pitchhamburg.org.