Mars Hill Theatre Brewing lit up with entrepreneurial spirit as we hosted our latest Pitch Party, and what a night it was! The venue, full of character and history, offered the perfect stage for local founders to share their bold ideas and startup dreams.
This evening embodied everything Pitch Parties are about, sparking connections, celebrating bold ideas, and fueling momentum across WNC’s growing founder community. With Hatch’s expanding Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program now in Mars Hill, local founders are already gaining access to mentorship, resources, and connections to help turn vision into reality, and the impact is just beginning.
Jay Mixter opened the evening by sharing practical tips on what makes a compelling pitch. His insights helped first-time presenters feel prepared and set a strong foundation for the night.
We kicked off the evening with four registered pitches, and the momentum quickly picked up as two more founders stepped up. From innovative products to purpose-driven ventures, the evening was packed with creativity, courage, and community support.
We were thrilled to introduce Ann Hintzman, who will serve as September’s Mars Hill mentor through Hatch’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program. Her guidance will pair powerfully with the great work happening at Mars Hill University’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL).
Emi Kubota and Nicole Will, who will also be mentoring founders in Mars Hill, were present at the event, helping participants hone their messages and build confidence in real time, a key element of what makes our Pitch Parties so impactful.
Also Present: James A. Heinl, Executive Director and Professor at MHU CEL brought both leadership and laughter with one of the night’s most entertaining pitches. He was joined by Ashlin Mathews Hensley and the center’s new Graduate Assistant, all showing strong support for the local founder community. Together, they’re fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial culture on campus and helping expand that momentum throughout WNC.
And the winners of the night were:
Most Potential – John Cantor of Earth Bae, launching a line of heated vests soon on Amazon. He was pleased to invite all who would like to join him for his upcoming launch party on September 6th at Devil’s Foot / The Mule in Asheville, NC!
Most Promising – TJ Burske of TG Faith-Based Consulting, bringing mission-aligned support to religious organizations across WNC.
Most Innovative – James A. Heinl with RoboStop. James took the stage with a witty, satirical pitch for a fictional automated self-defense solution, designed to protect humanity from rogue robots and runaway AI, in a scenario straight out of The Terminator. His clever use of humor didn’t just entertain, it perfectly illustrated how creativity, timing, and personality can turn a pitch into a memorable and engaging experience.
Best Presenter – Kimber Jones of Moksha Health & Wellness, offering simple, holistic health guidance rooted in yoga and Ayurveda to support better energy, sleep, digestion, and reconnection with your body.
With the EIR program now rooted in Mars Hill, just as we’ve seen its launch in Sylva, it’s clear this town is ready to grow, lead, and support its next generation of founders.
To everyone who pitched, mentored, supported, or cheered from the crowd — thank you. The entrepreneurial spirit in WNC is rising fast, and we’re proud to rise with it.
This evening embodied everything Pitch Parties are about — sparking connections, celebrating bold ideas, and fueling momentum across WNC’s growing founder community. With Hatch’s expanding Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program now in Mars Hill, local founders are already gaining access to mentorship, resources, and connections to help turn vision into reality — and the impact is just beginning
