The iDEA (innovateDahlonega Entrepreneurship Accelerator) Community Pitch Challenge was held Nov. 7 at the University of North Georgia (UNG) Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI) Launch Pad at the Dahlonega Campus, with seven out of the original 13 applicants vying for prizes totaling $20,000.

This challenge was part of the Google.org Rural Communities Grant, administered by the CEI at UNG in partnership with the Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber of Commerce, the Lumpkin County School District and the Development Authority of Lumpkin County.

Bobby Anderson walked away with the top prize of $10,000 for HingePost, a product that addresses the limitations of traditional flatbed platforms by offering the first lightweight, rotatable and easy-to-install gate system, enhancing safety, convenience and functionality for flatbed truck users.

"I know that my product presents well, and it's easy to understand what it does," Anderson said. "More than anything, though, I would like to be able to potentially grow my business with team members and things of that nature. It's not just the money. Hopefully I'll be able to grow, help the community grow and get some valuable employees."

Second place went to UNG junior Kian Esmaeili for Café Tehroon, a restaurant "bringing the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Iran to Lumpkin County, offering a unique dining experience that combines traditional Persian cuisine with a modern twist, inviting guests on a flavorful journey through Iran’s vibrant tastes and aromas," Esmaeili said. He is from Woodstock, Georgia, and is pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. He received $6,000.

UNG’s Valerie Fambrough ’03, presented an expansion and enhancement of the services of Pick & Bow through a web/mobile app. Pick & Bow is a local non-profit music school conserving traditional folk and bluegrass music. Fambrough rounded out the top three and was awarded $4,000. She is an administrative assistant in the Biology Department.

The entrepreneurs can also receive benefits including startup/pitch training, idea/product feedback, mentoring and professional connections.

iDEA is a series of programs, events, and resources designed to inspire and support local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and innovators in Lumpkin County. The Community Pitch Challenge provides a platform for participants to pitch their business ideas, gain valuable feedback from industry experts, and compete for funding to help grow or launch their ventures.

"The Google Rural Communities Grant is a partnership between the University of North Georgia Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce," Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of UNG's Mike Cottrell College of Business, said. "The innovateDahlonega pitch competition, funded by the grant, is just one example of how UNG is committed to growing the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the city and county."

Contestants had until Oct. 28 to submit their application, and selections for pitches were announced Nov. 1. Pitches were evaluated on innovation, feasibility/scalability and community impact, use of funds and presentation.

"The iDEA Community Pitch Challenge is about more than just funding—it’s about igniting the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation in our rural communities," Dr. Christopher Greene, director of CEI, said. "With the support of partners like Google, we’re empowering local innovators to tackle real-world challenges and build sustainable businesses that enhance our region’s economic future."

JoAnne Taylor, mayor of the city of Dahlonega, was impressed by the potential the challenge will have.

"Supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship is important to the economic health and vitality of our community.  It creates more opportunities, more jobs, and a healthy environment for business.  Looking forward to continuing growth for this program, " she said.