The Aberdeen Business Pitch
Competition will reopen in early 2027

2026 Winner:
Madi Jones with CR8 Soda!

Congratulations to all of our finalists for bringing their best to the 2026 Aberdeen Business Pitch Competition! Each business put in an incredible amount of time, effort, and passion, and it showed! We’re proud to celebrate their hard work, innovative ideas, and commitment to building something great right here in Northeast South Dakota.

2026 Finalists

Abode Chiropractic
Marqelle Reid

CR8 Soda
Madi Jones

Everlasting Bloom
Jessica Cihak

Opus ABA
Jacquelyn Cutler

Prizes sponsored by the Aberdeen Development Corporation.

  • First Place: $10,000

  • Finalist: $1,000

  • Black Crown Group
    Tyler McGee

  • Fund My Team
    Sam Tremelling

  • Midwest Mind & Body Center LLC
    Joshua Dennert

  • Table and Trade
    John Ellis

  • The Prairie Play Café
    Maria Gotay

Honorable Mention

  • Michael Bockorny - EDPA and the 17-20 Group

  • Robert Fouberg - Dacotah Bank

  • TJ Hochstetler - Lamont Companies

  • Candi Olson - Northern State University

  • Dr. Sal Villegas - Northern State University

Round 2 Judges

  • Paul Forst - Agtegra Cooperative

  • Lee Kessler - RhodesAnderson Insurance

  • Troy McQuillen - McQuillen Creative Group and Aberdeen Insider

  • Scott Noeldner - Primrose Retirement

  • Laure Swanson - South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development

  • Kelly Weaver - Small Business Development Center

Round 1 Judges

Madi Jones, CR8 Soda
2026 Winner

Left to right: Candi Olson, Northern State University (NSU); Robert Fouberg, Dacotah Bank; Marqelle Reid, Abode Chiropractic; Madi Jones, CR8 Soda; Jessica Cihak, Everlasting Blooms; Jacquelyn Cutler, Opus ABA, LLC; Michael Bockorny, 17-20 Group and EDPA; Dr. Sal Villegas, NSU; TJ Hochstetler, Lamont Companies

Jessica Cihak,
Everlasting Blooms
2026 Finalist

2024 Finalists

  • Ascend Aviation Detailing, LLC
    Sarah Rice

  • DetailerShopApp
    Zamani Peters

  • eqUTI
    Grace Kramer

  • Minds Matter PLLC (2024 Winner) Tiffany Hoeft

2025 Finalists

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