Open Works names 10 finalists for the EnterpRiSE competition

The finalists are set for Open Works’ product-focused pitch competition.
The EnterpRISE Venture Competition, which put out its initial call in August, named 10 finalists that will vie for $18,000, Sation North makerspace. A grand prize winner will receive $10,000, and four others will also be named winners.
The program doubles as a six-week business bootcamp, in which entrepreneurs get mentoring and development workshops. Open Works’ Will Holman told Technical.ly that the competition sought to focus on entrepreneurs who haven’t had access to those resources previously.
Final business plans submitted on Nov. 10. Final pitches are set to be held Friday, Nov. 17.
Here’s a look at the finalists, per Open Works:

• Groundbird Gear: Marie Sellenrick created a harness and saddlebag system for hiking dogs.
• Femly Box: Arion Long founded a door-to-door natural menstrual care business.
• Tom and Mary Longest created hand-made yoga shorts for men, which are made in Baltimore and focus on fashion and affordability.
• Alida’s Millinery: A business founded by Stephenia Lewis-Stone specializing in hand-blocked hats and custom headwear.
• Surgical Vision Systems: Founded by Rasa Ghaffarian, a thermal imaging laparoscope and software platform provides real-time imaging features for surgery.
• Evil Evil: Benjamin Torres’ boutique luthier outfit creates electric guitars and basses.
• bmore Reclaimed: Jim Klausmeyer founded a company that makes furniture from salvaged building materials, and employs Baltimore youth.
• Jason Neal’s business is aimed at diversifying urban cycling.
• VersaMaker: Travis Chan is developing a printer with multiple tool heads that allow for 3D printing, CNC milling, laser engraving and other tasks on the same machine.