The EntreFEST Pitch Competition, presented by Hy-Vee, brought together community leaders, founders, investors, and supporters at Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids on June 13th, 2025, to hear from five entrepreneurs and their solutions to real-world problems.
Out of over 40 applicants, the five finalists for 2025 were:
Black Earth Gardens | Founder: Mari Hunt-Wassink
A mission-driven urban agriculture initiative focused on regenerative growing practices, culturally important vegetables, and creative marketing that makes healthy, local food more accessible to all.
Capture Recycling, LLC | Founder: Shaden Tweeten
Pioneering solutions to tackle waste management challenges with scalable, eco-friendly recycling practices designed for modern businesses and communities.
LSF Medical Solutions | Founder: Melissa L. Bates, PhD, FAPS
A med-tech company working to expand access to specialty care for underserved communities. Their flagship product, Pneumero, empowers patients with chronic lung disease to monitor their lung function at home, reducing hospital visits and enabling remote connection to specialists.
No-Sparc | Founder: Boluwarin Ojo
The No-Sparc Welding Cap is a safety innovation designed for welders with long or thick hair, protecting them from sparks, heat, and burns, solving a problem overlooked by traditional PPE.
Tumbleweed | Founder: Paul H. Richardson
An end-of-life planning company offering compassionate, thoughtfully curated journeys to help individuals honor and memorialize their loved ones with dignity.
And the Winners Are…
First Place: Black Earth Gardens
Their work in sustainable agriculture, food justice, and community accessibility captured both the judges’ attention and the audience’s hearts.
Second Place & People’s Choice: No-Sparc
Founder Boluwarin Ojo’s innovative welding cap not only earned second place from the judges but also took home the People’s Choice Award, showing the clear need and excitement for inclusive safety solutions in skilled trades.
Third Place: Tumbleweed
With a mission to change how we approach end-of-life planning, Tumbleweed impressed the judges with their human-centered, meaningful approach to a deeply personal experience.
The Judges:
We were honored to have an outstanding panel of industry leaders and entrepreneurial champions:
- Erica Cole, Founder & CEO, No Limbits
- Lyndsae Peele, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Manager, Kiva US
- Andy Streit, Regional Vice President, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
- Gary Watts, President & CEO, Watts Group
Why It Matters
EntreFEST, powered by NewBoCo, couldn’t make this impact possible without support from community champions, generous sponsors like Hy-Vee, and the donors who believe in building a thriving, inclusive economy.
If you’re passionate about fostering innovation, now is the time to get involved because the next big idea needs your support to grow.
Want to be part of the momentum? Learn how you can support future founders, fund the next breakthrough, or sponsor upcoming events at Donate
