North Carolina Small Business Center Network Names Winners of Inaugural 'Startup Showdown' Competition

Statewide initiative engaged more than 300 applicants and 17 finalists from across North Carolina, awarding $60,000 in startup funding through the N.C. Community College System's Small Business Center Network

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After a rigorous, months-long training and pitch competition, the North Carolina Small Business Center Network (SBCN) announced Rinse-A-Poo, Victorious Wellness, and The Gilded Lantern as the first-, second- and third-place winners, respectively, of the state's inaugural SBCN Startup Showdown.

This statewide entrepreneurship accelerator brought together 17 finalists competing for a share of $60,000 in unrestricted startup funding. The process included intensive business training and coaching, a "Shark Tank"-style Pitch Day event, public voting, and evaluation by a panel of business and entrepreneurship leaders.

The winners were announced during an invite-only awards celebration in Raleigh, N.C., on Sept. 17, attended by Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, N.C. Community College System (NCCCS) Acting President and CEO Dr. Monty Sullivan, and other state and local leaders.

The SBCN is one of the nation's largest state-funded small business assistance programs, operating through all 58 North Carolina community colleges and serving all 100 counties. The Startup Showdown – the first statewide entrepreneurship accelerator of its kind launched through the state's 58 community college Small Business Centers – was made possible through funding by the Wells Fargo Foundation and the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation.

"Entrepreneurs are driving innovation and economic growth in communities across North Carolina, and we're proud to support programs that help turn promising ideas into thriving businesses," said Juan Austin, senior vice president of philanthropy and community impact at Wells Fargo. "The Startup Showdown is creating new opportunities for founders to access capital, guidance and networks that can help accelerate their success and strengthen local economies."

First-place ($30,000) winner Dan Spangler, founder of Rinse-A-Poo, received support through the Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center. Spangler said Thursday that the Startup Showdown experience has already helped him build valuable connections across the state and prepare his business for its next stage of growth.

"The Startup Showdown was worth every hour I put into it. The coaching sharpened my pitch, but the real value was the 'room.' Between the instructors and the other cohort members, I got asked questions that made my product better," said Spangler. "Taking first place means more than the check, though the check matters. That funding gets Rinse-A-Poo from prototype to production, into the hands of the kennel and daycare operators who have been asking when they can buy one."

He added: "I ran a pet resort for 14 years and built this because I lived the problem. At Rinse-A-Poo, we take care of the dirty work."

Second-place ($20,000) winner Victoria Gadbois of Victorious Wellness, supported by the Wilkes Community College Small Business Center, is building a holistic women's wellness concept designed to bring personalized care, restoration, education and connection together in one welcoming environment.

Third-place ($10,000) winner Phil McNutt of The Gilded Lantern Co., supported by the Montgomery Community College Small Business Center, is developing a mobile mystery adventure experience designed to bring immersive team-building and shared experiences directly to businesses, organizations and communities.

Finalists were evaluated on multiple business criteria throughout the competition and were required to successfully complete the REAL Entrepreneurship® Pitch It! course, facilitated by local community college leaders. The competition also included a public voting period conducted via YouTube from Sept. 1-15.

In total, the competition attracted more than 300 applicants from across North Carolina, generating 1,050 hours of pre-application counseling and technical assistance through the SBCN. The competition also engaged communities statewide, with finalists' pitch videos generating more than 41,000 views and 9,300 votes during the public voting period. The $60,000 in unrestricted funding will now help the three winners advance their next stages of business development.

"Dan came into the Startup Showdown as a seasoned entrepreneur, but what impressed me most was his willingness to listen, be challenged and continue learning," said April Priester, director of the Small Business Center at Coastal Carolina Community College. "Dan understood that even experienced entrepreneurs benefit from having someone in their corner who can challenge their thinking and offer a different perspective. I am incredibly proud of what he accomplished, and his success demonstrates the value Small Business Center support can bring at every stage of an entrepreneur's journey."

Thursday's awards celebration marked the culmination of the Startup Showdown, but the work continues through Small Business Centers across North Carolina, where entrepreneurs can access ongoing counseling, training and resources to help start and grow their businesses.

"We're proud to support these entrepreneurs as they take their next steps, and we're excited to build on this model in the years ahead," said Anne Shaw, director, Small Business Center Network. "The Startup Showdown has demonstrated what's possible when we bring together the statewide reach of our Small Business Centers with training, counseling, mentorship and resources that help entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable businesses and create economic opportunity in their communities."

The SBCN resides within NCCCS's Economic Development Division, which also oversees key initiatives such as NCEdge, the state's primary customized workforce training program, along with ApprenticeshipNC, and N.C. BioNetwork.

About Small Business Center Network

The North Carolina Small Business Center Network (SBCN) is one of the nation's largest state-funded small business assistance programs, operating through all 58 North Carolina community colleges. Through confidential business counseling, practical training, technical assistance and resource connections, SBCN helps aspiring and existing entrepreneurs start, grow and sustain successful businesses. By empowering small business owners in communities across the state, the Network plays a vital role in fostering innovation, creating jobs and strengthening North Carolina's economy.

About the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS)

The North Carolina Community College System is a network of 58 community colleges created to improve the quality of life across North Carolina by opening the door to opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success, and develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce. The Community College System's Economic Development Division provides education, training, and support services for new, expanding and existing business and industry across all 100 North Carolina counties.

About the North Carolina Community College Foundation

The North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation (the Foundation) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization founded in 1986 to support the mission of the N.C. Community College System. The Foundation is governed by a diverse board of directors who, together with the executive director, steward the endowment; raise awareness and funds to develop and advance the System; manage several scholarship and award programs that honor excellence, and support public-private partnership programs that foster innovation. Going forward, the Foundation will lead a national campaign to drive more student, college, employer, and system success; and deliver more community, economic, and workforce development value for the state.

SOURCE North Carolina Community College System