For the Rapids City Times

MILWAUKEE– Wisconsin Rapids entrepreneur Pete Jungwirth took home the top prize at the Central Wisconsin Hatch Regional Finale held Nov. 7 at the Noel Car Barn, Plover, earning $5,000 for his company, Amira Learning. The company uses artificial intelligence technology to help teachers assess students’ reading levels and improve their skills individually, based on specific areas where they need help.

The HATCH Finale was attended by a crowd of nearly 250 people who watched six area entrepreneurs pitch their business to judges and vote for their favorite.

The other entrepreneurs who pitched their business ideas included: Harald Tomesch from QikVin, a reusable wine bottle that preserves wine and keeps it fresh, as well providing a stylish container for serving the wine; Nick Coglianese from Key Collector Comics Mobile App, database and price guide that focuses exclusively on valuable, collector comic books; and Evan Schuelke from Flip’n Easy, a plastic measuring scoop and funnel that lets you use only one hand to scoop and pour powered mix into any bottle.

BrightStar also held Hatch Regional Finales in Eau Claire for the Chippewa Valley Hatch program and Racine for the Racine & Kenosha County Hatch program.

HATCH is funded by BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation with the help of a matching grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and sponsor support,

The Central Wisconsin Hatch Regional Finale was hosted by Compass Properties and organized by BrightStar and the four organizations that hosted the preliminary local events, including: Portage County Business Council, Marshfield Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneur and Education Center in Wausau and Mid-States Technical College – Wisconsin Rapids campus.