Lawton business wins pitch competition

KMZ Investments, a startup real estate investment company focused on acquiring and renovating properties in Lawton to operate as short-term vacation rentals, was named winner of this year’s 580 Pitch Competition.

The 580 Pitch Competition is for businesses in the early stages of development to start, grow or diversify. The 580 Pitch Competition provides these businesses a way to share their business ideas with a panel of judges and to compete for prize money. In return, businesses receive help developing a business plan and creating a pitch to business experts, according to Great Plains Technology Center website.

KMZ Investments received the grand prize of $10,000.

Broke Bitches Mobile Pet Grooming (AKA Broke Bs Pet Grooming) placed second in the competition and received $5,000. Owners Sarah G. McNair and Holly Alford Staeden operate mobile salons and are driven by the belief that all pets should have the opportunity to lead a better life through consistent and thorough grooming services.

Third place, and a prize of $3,000, went to Poly HuliHuli RibChic, a mobile food establishment owned and operated by Iafeta and Betty Veu. The establishment specializes in Grilling Polinesian Passion into every bit of ribs and chicken. The word “HuliHuli” means “turn” in the Hawaiian language. The company’s innovative rotisserie customized mobile grill sets them apart from other restaurants or food establishments in the area, according to a press release.

Fourth place, and a prize of $2,000, went to Alexandria’s Cleaning Co LLC. The company is owned by Alexandria Reed and provides cleaning services for commercial and residential properties. Services include post construction cleanings, eco-friendly cleaning options, top-to-bottom deluxe cleanings, maintenance cleanings, and move in/move out cleanings, according to a press release.

The four finalists participated in a Pitch Boot Camp to hone their presentation skills and then presented their pitches before the panel of judges on July 25 in the McMahon Lecture Hall located in Great Plains Technology Center’s Business Development Center, 1601 SW Park Ridge. The judges evaluated the pitch and business plan to name the winner.

Judges included Doug Stephens, City National Bank; Chris Coast, Coast Technology Group; Monte Brown, Liberty National Bank; Bernita Taylor, MIGHT Community Development; and Dr. Brenda Spencer-Ragland, NextHome Tri-Covenant Realty.

For more information about the 580 Pitch competition, visit https://www.greatplains.edu/business-services/580.