A Milwaukee startup won the Startup World Cup Regional Pitch Competition at the Weill Center in Sheboygan Sept. 9 while a Plymouth company earned the People’s Choice Award.
Accelerate Sheboygan County, an initiative of the Sheboygan County Innovation Council funded by the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation, hosted the event.
Sum Hydration, founded by Tyler Hurd, was awarded first place and received $2,000 along with the opportunity to represent Sheboygan at the 2025 Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco, where they will compete for the $1 million investment prize.
The People’s Choice Award went to GoWithRosie, led by Tyler Heilberger, who received $1,000 after winning the audience vote.
Hurd started Sum Hydration in Birmingham, Alabama, but recently relocated to Milwaukee. The company offers hydration stations that filter the water and then allow users to personalize the amount of electrolytes, caffeine and flavor of the water. It uses only natural ingredients and eliminates single use waste.
GoWithRosie is an artificial intelligence based travel planning system for families. It personalizes iteneraries based on information provided by users and aims to take the frustration out of family travel planning.
“This competition proved that Sheboygan’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving,” said Justin Vanneiuwenhoven, emcee of the SWC event and Chair of the SCIC. “We are incredibly proud of all the founders who pitched their ideas and impressed both the judges and the audience.”
The event was sponsored by Carbliss, Wells Fargo, Associated Bank, and the SCEDC, with coordination support from Third Space Wellness. Attendees enjoyed networking opportunities, premium cocktails, and the excitement of watching local startups take the stage for a shot at global recognition.
