Do you ever wonder who develops the ideas for new products or services and how they turn the ideas into a thriving business? Scott County has many entrepreneurs that do just that. For the past four years, the Scott County FAST-TRACK Business Challenge has assisted new business owners, giving them the opportunity to fine tune their business plans, prepare a pitch, become connected with industry leaders and compete for start-up cash and professional business services to fast-track their business on the road to success.

The Scott County CDA-FSS and Technology Village are pleased to announce this year’s five finalists for the October 22nd Scott County FAST-TRACK Challenge. The finalists were selected from applications submitted by start-up businesses in the cities of Belle Plaine, Jordan, New Prague, Prior Lake, Shakopee, and rural New Prague/Elko New Market.

The five finalists, in alphabetical order, include:

• Euroworx Automotive Repair LLC., based in New Prague, received an honorable mention. Jake De St. Hubert, owner, will be provided an opportunity to pitch before the Technology Village Board. His company provides mobile advanced diagnostics for high line European vehicles. See: Euroworxmn.com
• Fitness Boomers LLC’s owner, Chathu Hettiarachchi, wants to “Change the world through our children”. Fitness Boomers is a professional service business based in Shakopee that provides “one of a kind fitness, yoga and meditation opportunities for the young generation to help their emotional and physical well-being. See: https://www.fitnessboomers.online/
• IntelligentRx, based in Shakopee, is a health care savings innovation company with a mission to increase access to affordable healthcare to everyone. Founder Thomas Kosgei, notes IntelligentRx is “The smart way to save on prescription medications”. See: https://intelligentrx.com/
• Permits Plus, LLC.’s owner, Amy Bedeaux, has designed a compliance solution for companies to assist with the municipal electronic permitting process. The business is based in Jordan. The website is currently under construction.
• Wild Ruffle’s co-owners, Cate Mezyk and Tammy Hiveley are developing a spin-off clothing manufacturing company “Cloth & Clay by Wild Ruffle”. The company, based in Prior Lake, is developing a clothing line and plan to utilize the skills of women at the Shakopee Correctional Facility on the production. See: https://shopwildruffle.com/

In addition, one “Student Spotlight” will be highlighted this year, with a pitch before the Technology Village Board of Directors. The two teenage sisters, Elizabeth and Sophie Bisek, will share information on Slimey Unicorns and the slime gift packages that they currently sell for parties and at various Farmers Markets. The young entrepreneurs reside in Webster, within Scott County.

The five finalists will be pitching their business ideas to a panel of judges which include Angela Heikes, President and CEO of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community; Charles Shannon, VP of Corporate Development for Merrill Corporation; Kristin Haugen, VP Legal for Morneau Shepell; Joseph J. Fittante, Corporate Practice Chair for Larkin Hoffman and Bill Gray, President of Uponor North America. Following their 7 to 10-minute pitch, the judges will conduct a Q & A with the businesses, evaluate each, and select winners that evening.

The top three winners will be awarded start-up cash and professional services valued at over $15,500 and generously donated by this year’s sponsors which include Silver Sponsors: Larkin Hoffman, Technology Village Prior Lake and the Scott County CDA, Bronze Sponsors: Old National Bank, Minnesota Valley Electric Coop’s Operation Round Up and Neon Lizard Creative Graphic Design; and Copper Sponsors: the New Prague, Prior Lake, Savage and Shakopee Chambers of Commerce.

This year’s event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 22nd. A video of the event will be available after the Challenge.

For more information on the event please see: www.ScottCountyFastTrack.com or contact Jo Foust at 952-496-8830 or jfoust@scottfss.org