---
title: 'Who won the 2025 TiE Oregon Columbia River Pitch competition…?'
date: '2025-06-25T14:25:28-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 330
char_count: 2216
tokens: 429
categories:
  - Portland
---

# Who won the 2025 TiE Oregon Columbia River Pitch competition…?

I’m glad you asked. Otherwise, sharing this information that I have right in front of me would seem a little weird. But since you want to know. I’m happy to share [who won the 2025 edition of TiE Oregon Columbia River Pitch](https://www.tieoregon.org/pitch-oregon/columbia-river-pitch), the competition among startups in Multnomah County, Oregon, and Clark County, Washington.

**Best Overall & Audience Choice – YAK** (**$45,000 Investment**, **$2,500 Cash**)

**Founder:** [**Shannon Smith**](https://tie.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=cc0a5773b2&e=0ef015764b)
A modern audit and compliance platform designed to streamline and automate the audit process for firms and organizations, [**Yak**](https://tie.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=347692b5e2&e=0ef015764b) focuses on making compliance for audits smarter, faster, and more efficient by reducing manual tasks and simplifying complex workflows.

**First Runner-Up – Mickelberry Gardens** (**$15,000 Investment**)

**Founder:** [**Madelyn Morris**](https://tie.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=445659211b&e=0ef015764b)
[**Mickelberry Gardens**](https://tie.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=8ca547af78&e=0ef015764b) crafts a range of herbal honey tonics, raw honey, beeswax-based skincare, oxymels, and bee pollen products, all made with whole food ingredients and a focus on self-care and holistic health.

**Cyber Security Package – Skyfarer Academy**

**Founder:** [**Nick Tsang**](https://tie.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=d4f69185e3&e=0ef015764b)
[**Skyfarer Academy**](https://tie.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5c7b7289005225cbf0039b0d8&id=4710b5b2f4&e=0ef015764b) is a modern aviation training platform that connects aspiring pilots with certified flight instructors (CFIs) and flight schools for both live online and in-person instruction.

For more information, visit [TiE Oregon Columbia River Pitch](https://www.tieoregon.org/pitch-oregon/columbia-river-pitch).

More Portland startup news
--------------------------