Voting begins in Statewide Small Business competition, Cape Fear couple represents CFCC Small Business Center
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Voting is now open for North Carolina’s inaugural Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown, with two Wilmington-area entrepreneurs representing Cape Fear Community College’s Small Business Center.
Anna Barrett and Kevin Roberts are among 18 finalists competing for more than $60,000 in startup funding, including a $30,000 top prize.
The husband-and-wife team developed Cakebelle, a patent-pending cake-serving tool designed to allow users to customize cake slice sizes while reducing food waste.
Barrett and Roberts developed the business with guidance from CFCC Small Business Center Director Jerry Coleman.
Public voting is open from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15. Community members can cast a vote by liking Cakebelle’s pitch video on the North Carolina Small Business Center Network’s YouTube channel.
Each like on the video counts as an official vote and will be considered alongside scores from a panel of expert judges.
The Startup Showdown is supported through a funding partnership with the Wells Fargo Foundation and is a collaboration between the North Carolina Community College System, the Small Business Center Network and the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation.
The program aims to identify entrepreneurs with high-potential businesses while providing business education, mentorship, resources and exposure to help develop their companies.
Winners are scheduled to be announced during an awards reception in Raleigh on Sept. 17.
