Onslow County — An Eastern North Carolina entrepreneur familiar to News 12 viewers is among 17 business owners selected for the inaugural North Carolina Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown
Dan Spangler is competing with Rinse-A-Poo, a patent-pending product designed to improve sanitation and efficiency in pet care facilities.
The competition drew 316 applicants from across North Carolina.
Contestants were required to complete business counseling through their local Small Business Center before applying.
They also submitted recommendation letters and a video introducing themselves and their business concept.
Selected entrepreneurs then completed an eight-session entrepreneurship program between May and July.
Participants submitted final business plans and pitch decks before presenting their ideas during a live Pitch Day in August.
Those pitches are now being shared online as part of a statewide voting period running from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15.
Likes on each contestant’s video earn additional points that are added to scores from the competition’s judges.
The combined scores will determine the top 3 winners.
First place will receive $30,000 in unrestricted startup funding.
Second place will receive $20,000, while third place will receive $10,000.
Each winner can also receive up to $1,000 toward membership in a local Chamber of Commerce.
Spangler is a Marine Corps veteran and longtime Eastern North Carolina entrepreneur.
He founded A Dog’s Dream in New Bern in 2010 and later launched Top Dog Associates before developing Rinse-A-Poo.
Public voting is open through Sept. 15.
People can support Spangler by watching his Rinse-A-Poo pitch and liking the video posted through the North Carolina Small Business Center Network.
Those likes count toward the contestants’ final scores.
Learn more and vote in the Startup Showdown by clicking here.
The Startup Showdown is presented by the North Carolina Small Business Center Network with support from the Wells Fargo Foundation.
The winners are expected to be announced later this month.
