Judges for the annual Traverse Connect Scale Up North Awards have narrowed this year’s field of nominees down to the final 10. The companies – which include everything from a salon to a distillery to a honey farm – will advance to the next round of the competition, during which judges will visit each business in person. That process will lead to the next elimination round in early April, which will name the three finalists for each of the competition's two categories. Winners will be announced on Friday, May 5 at a live finals event planned to take place at the City Opera House.

Each year, the Scale Up North Awards honor businesses in a pair of different categories. The first category, the Emerging Business Award, spotlights smaller local businesses that are “in the startup phase of growth.” The second, the Hagerty Scaling Business Award, honors more established businesses that have been operating for five years or longer and are scaling and growing. Winners receive a cash prize, as well as a bundle of in-kind services and benefits valued at tens of thousands of dollars. Taste the Local Difference and Short’s Brewing Company were the 2021 winners.

This year’s nominees are listed below.

The Emerging Business Award

The Elk Rapids Marina on Elk Lake
FirstIgnite
Golden Swan Management
Refuge Salon
Shift Health Center

The Hagerty Scaling Business Award

Grand Traverse Distillery
Hilbert’s Honey Co.
Oryana Community Cooperative
Pets Naturally
Truly Free

The Scale Up North Awards Finals are scheduled for May 5 at the City Opera House. That event will feature a pitch competition for the three finalists in the Emerging Business category, as well as a panel discussion featuring representatives from each of the three finalists in the Hagerty Scaling Business category. Winners for each category will be announced during the event. Tickets for the finals are $35 and can be purchased on the Traverse Connect website.