{"id":590370,"date":"2026-04-08T14:24:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:24:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/590370\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:24:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:24:11","slug":"hico-takes-1st-place-and-6000-in-the-5th-annual-charlie-walker-pitch-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/590370\/","title":{"rendered":"HiCo. takes 1st place and $6,000 in the 5th annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Salina Community Economic Development Organization<\/p>\n

The 5th Annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge was held on April 1, at the Kansas State University Salina campus, where entrepreneurs competed for $16,000 in prize funding awarded to the top five finalists. <\/p>\n

The event was presented in partnership with the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Salina Community Economic Development Organization, Kansas State University Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University, The Temple, Network Kansas \/ VentureDash, and Start Up Salina.<\/p>\n

The annual prize fund\u2014totaling $16,000 each year\u2014is generously donated by Bennington State Bank and JRI Hospitality, Inc.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s program opened with remarks from Guy Walker, President of Blue Beacon, Inc., who welcomed attendees and shared reflections on his grandfather, Charlie Walker, the event\u2019s namesake. A successful entrepreneur and mentor, Charlie Walker dedicated his life to helping others launch businesses and build careers in the Salina community. He passed away in 2012, leaving a legacy of encouragement and opportunity for future innovators.<\/p>\n

Eight contestants advanced to this year\u2019s competition after submitting a comprehensive 12-page business plan and a three-minute elevator-pitch video. <\/p>\n

During the live event, each finalist delivered a seven-minute presentation outlining their business concept, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with a panel of five local judges<\/p>\n

List of winners:\"LiamLiam Deniau-Young of HiCo. proudly holding up $6,000 check for winning 1st place in the 2026 Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge at the KSU Salina campus – Photo, Salina Community Economic Development Organization<\/p>\n

1st Place ($6000)<\/p>\n

HiCo. – Liam Deniau-Young <\/p>\n

Fresh from his 1st place win at the Saline County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge in early March, HiCo took 1st place at the 2026 Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge. HiCo delivers an all-inclusive service model that equips guests with premium gear, hike-friendly meals, and expert guides to access secluded backcountry trails that don\u2019t appear on mainstream maps. Designed for flexibility and customization, HiCo offers both public expeditions for shared adventure and private bookings for travelers seeking a personalized pace and complete privacy.<\/p>\n

Guests can choose their preferred trail and trip length, ranging from two-night treks to five-night expeditions. Every experience includes high-end equipment, professional navigation, and the support needed to explore remote terrain with confidence.<\/p>\n

\"RindiRindi & Matt Guldner of The Maker’s Shop take $4,000 home after winning second place – Photo, Salina Community Economic Development Organization<\/p>\n

2nd Place ($4000)<\/p>\n

The Maker\u2019s Shop – Rindi & Matt Guldner<\/p>\n

Rindi and Matt, the second-place winners, plan to use their award to launch The Maker\u2019s Shop in downtown Lindsborg. Designed as both an art supply boutique and a hands-on creation space, The Maker\u2019s Shop will offer a thoughtfully curated selection of quality art materials alongside an inviting environment where creativity\u2014and a few joyful messes\u2014are encouraged.<\/p>\n

With support from their pitch-challenge win, Rindi and Matt aim to create a community hub that inspires connection and imagination. In addition to retail offerings, The Maker\u2019s Shop will feature project kits that promote creativity, emotional well-being, shared experiences, and time spent making something meaningful together.<\/p>\n

\"KellenKellen & Yessenia Womochil of This Moment Mobile Events LLC earn 3rd place and $3,000 –\u00a0Photo, Salina Community Economic Development Organization<\/p>\n

3rd Place ($3000)<\/p>\n

This Moment Mobile Events LLC – Kellen & Yessenia Womochil<\/p>\n

Kellen and Yessenia, the third-place winners, are poised to expand their growing event business, This Moment Mobile Events LLC. The company currently offers a digital photo booth, a vintage photo-booth camper, and an audio guest-book experience\u2014unique services designed to help guests capture greetings, memories, and meaningful moments at special events.<\/p>\n

Rooted in the belief that every celebration deserves a personal touch, This Moment Mobile Events focuses on creating opportunities for people to connect and leave with a keepsake that reflects the spirit of the occasion.<\/p>\n

With support from their pitch-challenge award, Kellen and Yessenia plan to add a mobile bar built from a renovated Cushman truck. This new feature will enhance their ability to deliver memorable, customizable event experiences and marks an exciting next step in the company\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n

\"AngelicaAngelica Carrillo-Hernandez of Casa Dolores Cafe\u0301 wins $2,000 placing 4th in the challenge – Photo,\u00a0Salina Community Economic Development Organization<\/p>\n

4th Place ($2000)<\/p>\n

Casa Dolores Caf\u00e9 – Angelica Carrillo-Hernandez<\/p>\n

Angelica, the fourth-place winner, is preparing to bring Casa Dolores Caf\u00e9 to life as a mobile coffee business inspired by her belief that \u201cwhere there is coffee, there is love.\u201d With her award, she plans to launch a high-quality, mobile coffee trailer featuring creative, culturally inspired beverages that reflect her heritage and passion for community.<\/p>\n

Angelica aims to have the mobile caf\u00e9 operating within the next six months, offering a space where customers can enjoy coffee made with heart, celebrate culture and tradition, and connect with one another. Her vision is to create a welcoming gathering place\u2014one cup at a time.<\/p>\n

\"WilliamWilliam Hieronymus of Bobby’s Bees gets to invest $1,000 into his company Bobby’s Bees after placing 5th in the challenge – Photo, Salina Community Economic Development Organization<\/p>\n

5th Place ($1000)<\/p>\n

Bobby\u2019s Bees – William Hieronymus<\/p>\n

Bobby\u2019s Bees, a small but growing honey producer based in Salina, began its journey in 2025 with just a few hives and a first-year harvest of 48 pounds of honey. With their fifth-place finish, the team behind Bobby\u2019s Bees is ready to expand their operation and increase production.<\/p>\n

The award will help Bobby\u2019s Bees add more hives and explore new varieties of honey and honey-based products. Their goal is to bring more locally produced, high-quality honey to the community while continuing to grow a business rooted in sustainability, craftsmanship, and Kansas pride.<\/p>\n

Also participating in this year\u2019s competition were Bonnie Alvarado of Forever Florals by Bonnie LLC; Sade Wright of Organized Chaos Consulting LLC; and Drew White of White Buffalo Meat Co. Each brought forward a unique business concept, contributing to a strong and diverse field of entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

For updates and details about the 2027 Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge, interested individuals can join the Start Up Salina Facebook group<\/a>\u00a0or visit the Salina EDO website<\/a>\u00a0for resources and announcements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Salina Community Economic Development Organization The 5th Annual Charlie Walker Pitch Challenge was held on April 1, at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":590371,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[45,49,48,137],"class_list":{"0":"post-590370","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entrepreneurship","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-entrepreneurship"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=590370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590370\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/590371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=590370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=590370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=590370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}