The judges for Traverse Connect’s Scale Up North Awards, acknowledging the vibrant and varied companies doing business “up north”, announced the businesses advancing to the Top 10 following the Scale Up North Video Showcase. In early April, judges will visit ten businesses before narrowing the competitors to the top three in each category, which will compete at the Finals on May 5 at the City Opera House.
The Scale Up North Awards will recognize businesses in two stages of growth: the Emerging Business Award and the Hagerty Scaling Business Award. Both awards are open to for-profit companies in Traverse Connect’s five-county service area.
Businesses advancing in the Emerging Business category are The Elk Rapids Marina on Elk Lake, FirstIgnite, Golden Swan Management, Refuge Salon, and Shift Health Center.
Established businesses operating for more than five years advancing in the Hagerty Scaling Business category are Grand Traverse Distillery, Hilbert’s Honey Co., Oryana Community Cooperative, Pets Naturally, and Truly Free.
The Scale Up North Awards Finals will feature a pitch competition for the three finalists in the Emerging Business category and a panel discussion with representatives of the three finalists in the Hagerty Scaling Business category. The winners of the Emerging Business Award and the Hagerty Scaling Award will be announced before the event’s conclusion. Tickets are $35 and are available for purchase on the Traverse Connect website.
The Scale Up North Awards are presented by Hagerty and Priority Health, with additional support from Northwestern Michigan College.
