AMES, Iowa — David Hora, Washington County 4-H member and an innovator for Continuum Ag, a company started by his brother Mitchell, took top honors at the Iowa State University entrepreneurial pitch-offs at the Iowa State Fair. Hora received a $5,000 Best of Show award.
The “Great Iowa State Pitch Off: STANDING InnOVATION,” was hosted by Iowa State University at the Iowa State Fair to showcase the energy and creativity of young entrepreneurs and how that results in innovation and entrepreneurial projects that impact Iowa communities and businesses. Continuum Ag was one of 150 innovations pitched Aug. 8-15 in the Varied Industries Building, and the winner out of 56 pitches competing in the semifinals.
Hora was one of the 22 innovators sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to pitch on Aug. 11 and 12. Winners of the head-to-head pitch-offs were determined by audience bean-casting vote and invited back to pitch before judges during the final weekend of the fair. ISU Extension and Outreach sponsored individuals and teams pitching ideas for community betterment projects and products, as well as educational programs and projects.
Two pitches sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach were among the seven finalists receiving $2,500 awards. The Civil Teen Discourse 4-H group of Owynn McNutt, Charlize DeArmond and Nicholas Stocks, received the $2,500 Youth Entrepreneur Award. Lynn Bolin, with the New Day Dairy pitch, received the $2,500 Community Entrepreneur Award. Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen presented the awards Aug. 18.
— Billie Koester, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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