SCOTTSBORO – It was a high-energy competition with a “relaxed” winner Wednesday for the Singing River Trail Launch Tank.
Relax and Release Shampoo & Sleep Spa of Huntsville came out on top after a day of pitches, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit at the Scottsboro Civic Center in Jackson County.
The event featured nine entrepreneurs from across North Alabama vying for a share of $27,000 in non-dilutive funding to help accelerate their growth.
“This year’s competition was our biggest and most competitive yet,” said Misti Potter, executive director of Singing River Trail. “The level of innovation we saw today proves that North Alabama is a rising hub for entrepreneurship.
“We’re so proud of every finalist and excited to see what’s next for the winners.”
The winners were:
- First Place ($10,000): Relax and Release Shampoo & Sleep Spa, Madison County
- Second Place ($5,000): Welcome Home magazine, Madison County
- Third Place ($3,000): Bare Bottom Farms, Marshall County
- Finalists
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- Beyond the Box Movement, DeKalb County ($1,500)
- EvaLux Electric Charging, Madison County ($1,500)
- Honeycomb by Haley, Morgan County ($1,500)
- See Produce, Madison County ($1,500)
- Starring Local, Jackson County ($1,500)
- The Broken Brush Art Studio, Limestone County ($1,500)
The finalists presented their small business ideas to an audience and a panel of local experts. They were judged on business viability, innovation, and impact on North Alabama.
The event also marked Singing River Trail Launch Tank’s first time in Jackson County, drawing a large crowd from the region’s business, civic, and entrepreneurial communities.
“This competition is a celebration of the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines North Alabama,” said Lydia Pennington, SRT Launch Tank co-chair and executive director of tourism for the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to continuing to grow this event and the opportunities it creates.”
