Li & O Baby LLC Wins First-Ever Bismarck Business Pitch Challenge

LI & O BABY LLC WINS FIRST-EVER BISMARCK BUSINESS PITCH CHALLENGE

Four local entrepreneurs took the stage October 14 at the inaugural Bismarck Business Pitch Challenge, sharing their business ideas and competing for a chance to receive a $15,000 forgivable loan from the City of Bismarck.

Hosted at the North Dakota Heritage Center’s Russell Reid Auditorium, the event was designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen their business plans, refine their presentations and prepare for long-term success. Leading up to the competition, each finalist received coaching from the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC) to optimize their applications, business plans and final pitches.

The finalists represented a diverse range of industries and innovative business concepts:

Dash Mosaic, owned by Brittany Anderson, creates intimate curated experiences designed to foster genuine human connection.

Burrow and Bloom, owned by Ruth Sanchez, is a family-run microfarm and refillery offering fresh specialty produce, herbs, edible flowers and low-waste household products.

Li & O Baby LLC, founded by Dr. Candice Crichlow-Baker, creates practical, science-driven baby products aiming to solve parenting challenges starting with a natural infant formula thickener.

Oh SHIP! Pack & Ship Store, owned by Brad Feldman, offers FedEx, Spee-Dee Delivery, USPS, printing, shredding services and private mailboxes under one roof.

After presentations to a panel of judges that included Mayor Mike Schmitz, Mike Frohlich of Laughing Sun Brewery, Kane Perrin of Bravera Bank, Heather Jones of City Air Mechanical and Dr. Blake Feil of Feil Orthodontics, the winners were announced.

FIRST PLACE: LI & O BABY LLC

Li & O Baby LLC earned first place and will receive a $15,000 forgivable loan from the City of Bismarck, along with professional services and business support sponsored by local partners.

Mayor Mike Schmitz said that the business stood out for addressing a real challenge facing families.

“The winner brought a concept that is innovative, to solve issues that young parents experience and don’t have current solutions for,” Schmitz said. “We are thrilled to support new businesses in our community.”

For founder Dr. Candice Crichlow-Baker, the recognition validates years of work and a vision for the Bismarck-Mandan region to become a hub for medical innovation.

ADDITIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Second Place was awarded to Oh SHIP! Pack & Ship Store.

Third Place went to Burrow and Bloom, which also earned the evening’s People’s Choice Award, voted on by event attendees.

Fourth Place was awarded to Dash Mosaic.

All finalists received valuable business resources, professional guidance and connections intended to help advance their entrepreneurial journeys.

“The ability of the finalists to tell their stories in their own individual way was quite impressive,” said Brenda Nagel, president and CEO of the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. “I enjoyed listening to every one of them, and I would love to see all four businesses thriving in the Bismarck community.”

INVESTING IN LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Business Pitch Challenge was created to encourage innovation and support emerging businesses in the community. The Chamber EDC, the City of Bismarck, the City of Mandan and ND SBDC hope the event will become a platform for connecting entrepreneurs with resources, mentors and opportunities for growth on an annual basis, with Mandan launching their next Business Pitch Challenge in early 2027.