Local innovators from both sides of the peninsula will step into the spotlight next week as the Lighthouse Launch Pitch Contest returns, offering entrepreneurs from Door and Kewaunee counties a chance to bring their business dreams one step closer to reality.

The event, hosted by the Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation, the Door County Economic Development Corporation, and UW–Madison Extension Kewaunee County, will take place Wednesday, November 12 at 6 p.m. inside the Robert Ray Gallery in Algoma. The contest is part of the broader NEW North regional pitch series, which ultimately sends top competitors on to a regional showdown of emerging startups.

For Door County residents, the contest offers more than just a night of creative ideas. Organizers say the pitch event helps strengthen the local small business pipeline, an essential piece of the area’s economic identity. Tourism, hospitality, manufacturing, and the arts all rely heavily on the steady infusion of new entrepreneurs willing to take risks and respond to the region’s evolving needs.

Participants will have four minutes to present their business concept and two minutes to field questions from a panel of local judges. Winners will receive prize funds to help fuel their early stage ventures, support that can make a meaningful difference for small operations competing in a challenging regional economy. Those who advance will move on to the NEW North regional pitch contest, where they’ll have the opportunity to draw even more attention, investment, and mentorship.

For Door County residents, the competition is also a window into the future of local services, products, and job opportunities. Past pitch events have helped launch businesses that now contribute to the year-round economy, something especially vital in a region where seasonal swings can make sustaining a business difficult. Whether it’s a new food product, a tourism-focused service, a technology idea, or a creative arts venture, organizers say these concepts have the potential to shape the county’s economic landscape for years to come.

Residents interested in learning more or attending can contact the Door County Economic Development Corporation at devin@doorcountybusiness.com, or reach out to Patrick Nehring with UW–Madison Extension Kewaunee County at patrick.nehring@wisc.edu.