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Arlington Entrepreneurs Shine at BizLaunch PitchFest at Amazon HQ2On April 30, 2025, 17 small business owners from Arlington and across Northern Virginia took the stage at the BizLaunch PitchFest Finale, held at Amazon’s Visitor Landing at HQ2. The event marked the culmination of the BizLaunch Transformational Challenge, a months-long program designed to equip entrepreneurs with critical skills to strengthen and scale their businesses. After weeks of workshops and expert mentorship, finalists presented their business pitches to a panel of judges, investors, and community leaders. Four Arlington-based businesses were awarded cash prizes for their innovative ventures and compelling presentations:
Participating businesses represented a wide range of industries and included winners above as well as: E-ventz, Besitos, The Village Flyer, Amarillo Works, West Ukraine Foods, PLLC, AUS Success Strategies, Score, Nerissa Alford Designs, Seblik Design and Photo, Colors For Your Home, KultureChic, Primary Momentum, and KH Productivity Management. “This event was more than a competition — it was a celebration of the entrepreneurs who make Arlington’s business community vibrant and resilient,” said Ryan Touhill, Director of Arlington Economic Development. “Each business showcased talent, grit and the spirit of innovation we strive to support through BizLaunch.” The BizLaunch PitchFest was hosted by Arlington Economic Development’s BizLaunch division in partnership with SCORE and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. The event continues BizLaunch’s mission to build an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem by offering local businesses the resources, visibility and support they need to thrive. For more information on BizLaunch and the Transformational Challenge, visit www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/bizlaunch. About Red Bean HarvestRed Bean Harvest is a specialty coffee business in Arlington founded by Maria Martinez and Maximilian Ilea. Inspired by the everyday ritual of sharing coffee, the duo imports authentic Colombian coffee directly from farmers across multiple regions, ensuring each bean is traceable and ethically sourced. Red Bean Harvest prioritizes sustainability by using recyclable and compostable packaging and repurposing coffee skins into a unique marmalade to reduce food waste. With support from BizLaunch en Español and the Arlington Economic Development's ReLaunch program, Red Bean Harvest launched its e-commerce platform and has already begun selling at local events, the Columbia Pike Farmers Market, La Cosecha and other local markets. About BizLaunchBizLaunch is Arlington Economic Development’s small business and entrepreneurial support network. Whether launching a new venture or growing an existing business, BizLaunch provides free resources, one-on-one counseling and educational events to help entrepreneurs succeed. To learn more or schedule a consultation, visit arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com/bizlaunch or email bizlaunch@arlingtonva.us. About Arlington Economic DevelopmentArlington Economic Development helps businesses start, grow and thrive in Arlington, Virginia. With a focus on innovation, inclusivity and economic resilience, AED supports businesses of all sizes — from global corporations to neighborhood coffee shops. Learn more at arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com.
MEDIA CONTACTDestiny Esper
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