For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD — BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation and NEWaukee recently announced the HATCH finale will take place on Nov. 9 from 6-9 p.m. in the Noel Hangar at the Stevens Point Municipal Airport, 4501 Highway 66 in Stevens Point.

HATCH is a community-based startup platform to help develop “napkin” ideas into early-stage companies. BrightStar funded pitch competitions in Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, and Marshfield. Each of the four regional HATCH winners received a $2,000 grant and a chance to compete for a $10,000 prize in the finale along with three other runner-up HATCH pitches.

The four regional winners include:

—Tapped, flavor infused, natural maple syrups by Jeremy Solin.

—Unpublished.io, a web platform for building and sharing research projects built by Daniel Packard and Maurice Woods III.

—Arbre Tech, a product built to automate the data tracking processes used in tree nurseries by Matthieu Vollmer and Ben Meyers.

—Leak Siphon Flush Valve, a product to reduce leaky toilets for zero water waste by Peter Parker and Landis Brozak.

The runner-up pitches that will also be included at the finale event are Caboosee, baby onesie and pajama technology that makes it possible to easily check a diaper without removing the clothing by Emily Blomberg; Cheiks, women’s underwear with customized sizing by Elizabeth Olson; and Feed Manager, an app that helps farmers manage their livestock feed by Carl Lippert.

“With HATCH we wanted to allow groups that can support startups in central Wisconsin to communicate with each other and potential new businesses for the good of the region,” said BrightStar Portfolio Manager Todd Sobotka. “The more I help BrightStar invest in exciting startups, the more I realize that people invest in people. … It takes time to build relationships, see how people operate, and know with whom you work best. Now is the time to make this happen.”

For more information about HATCH and to register for the final event, visit hatchwi.com.