8 businesses to compete for $20K

ArtWorks announced Thursday the eight companies that will compete in The Big Pitch, a business pitch competition that awards up to $20,000.

The finalists will take part in a 10-week mentorship program that pairs Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky-based creative, small businesses with a business mentor and a U.S. Bank small business specialist. They make strategic plans for their next stage of growth and craft a five-minute business pitch.

The program culminates Aug. 27 in a public event, when each entrepreneur delivers their final pitch to an expert panel of judges. The top business will be awarded a $15,000 grant.

The audience will then vote on the winner of an additional $5,000 grant.

"This is an amazing group," said Caroline Creaghead, director of ArtWorks Creative Enterprise. "The diversity of businesses that applied attests to Cincinnati's growing need for small business support for working creatives. Our hope is that Big Pitch can connect these eight businesses with the support they need to grow and thrive. This is the type of creative talent that we want to retain and support."

The eight businesses selected for Big Pitch are:

• Grateful Grahams, owned by Rachel DesRochers, an artisanal bakery specializing in handmade vegan graham treats.
• Butcher Betties Meats and Sweets, owned by Allison Hines, a female veteran-owned butcher shop and gourmet food store specializing in local, grass-fed, natural and organic meats.
• Roebling Point Books & Coffee, owned by Richard Hunt, a community-focused bookstore and gathering place that supports local authors and artists.
• Brush Factory, owned by Hayes Shanesy and Rosie Kovacs, a design and fabrication company specializing in custom contemporary furniture that uses regionally sourced hardwoods.
• Hazel Brown Photography, owned by Jess Sheldon, a photography service business and product developer, wholesaler and retailer of functional fine art products.
• Original Thought Required, owned by James Marable, a streetwear and fashion boutique for Cincinnati focusing on limited edition apparel by independent designers.
• We Have Become Vikings, owned by Jason Snell, a creative agency specializing in strategy and design, helping to tell the stories of everyone from major brands to community voices.
• Cut and Sewn, owned by Jenifer Sult, a sample room providing design, sewing and pattern-making services for fashion and soft goods to design entrepreneurs.

ArtWorks created the Big Pitch in 2014 as a way to provide in-depth mentorship, exposure and funding opportunities for more established creative businesses.

Chris Sutton won the $15,000 grant last year with Noble Denim, a small-batch denim company that used the grant and business plan to expand its line of American-made jeans and launch a sister company called Victor.