A mocktail lounge that aims to become a community hub was the winner of the Progress Lakeshore’s LEVEL UP Pitch Contest Nov. 13.
The nine participants presented their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges and a live audience. at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc.
Lily Schuette and Jessica Nicholson, co-owners and founders of The Nook, were named the winners of this year’s LEVEL UP Pitch Contest, earning a $1,000 prize to support their growing business.
The Nook, Manitowoc County’s first mocktail lounge, coffee shop, and bookstore, stood out for its innovative approach to social connection by offering a welcoming, alcohol-free environment. Their pitch highlighted how The Nook has filled a niche in the area, providing a space for patrons to enjoy mocktails, relax with a book, or gather for conversation. Beyond its daily offerings, The Nook hosts a variety of popular community events, including monthly “Nook Club” book clubs, trivia and bingo nights, open mic events, pottery painting sessions, and more.
Taking the second-place spot was Shane Henderson, who received a $500 prize for his innovative product, The Chill Daddy. Marketed as America’s only customizable, wall-mounted refrigerator, The Chill Daddy keeps beverages ice-cold, even in a hot garage. It features an environmentally friendly R-600 refrigeration compressor and includes both 110v and 12v adapters, making it fully portable. Henderson’s pitch showcased how these unique coolers are convenient, perform well, and have personality.
Contestants addressed a panel of judges who evaluated their pitches based on six criteria: how they addressed a problem and the market for their solution, their unique value proposition, their growth strategy, their team, the economic feasibility of their business, and the presentation quality.
Judges for the event included Mark Maurer from WBD, Tara Carr from the Small Business Development Center and the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, and Nate Zastrow from the Manitowoc Public School District. 202 N 8th Street, Suite 101 Manitowoc, WI 54220 920.482.0540 www.progresslakeshore.org The Nook and The Chill Daddy will go on to compete against winners from other pitch contests held throughout the 18-county New North region. They will compete in the regional New Launch Alliance Pitch Contest on December 3rd at Titletown Tech in Green Bay, and the winner of that event will speak to a crowd of 500 at the New North Summit at Lambeau Field in summer 2026.
