Mahaska Pitch Competition Applications Now Open

OSKALOOSA, IOWA — The Mahaska Chamber & Development Group and Oskaloosa Main Street are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Mahaska Pitch Competition, an opportunity designed to encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen existing businesses, and support innovative ideas that contribute to the economic vitality of Mahaska County.

The Mahaska Pitch Competition is open to individuals with a new business idea as well as existing businesses looking to expand, introduce a new product or service, or make an investment that will help their business grow in Mahaska County.

Applications are open now through October 1, 2026. All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee, and finalists will be notified and invited to present their business ideas at the live Mahaska Pitch Competition on November 16, 2026.

“We are excited to hold our first Mahaska Pitch Competition and provide entrepreneurs with an opportunity to share their ideas and compete for funding,” said Deann De Groot, Executive Director of the Mahaska Chamber & Development Group. “Last December, we received the exciting news that we had been awarded an Empower Rural Iowa Grant. The funding for this competition is coming directly from that grant, and we are extremely grateful to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Wells Fargo, and the Iowa Rural Development Council for making this opportunity possible. Their investment allows us to invest directly in the entrepreneurs and businesses that are helping shape the future of Mahaska County.”

The application can be found here: Mahaska Pitch Competition. For more information about the Mahaska Pitch Competition contact Deann De Groot at the Mahaska Chamber & Development Group by calling 641.672.2591 or email ddegroot@mahaskachamber.org.