Gorge Pitchfest 2025 will be held on Thursday, May 29, at the Granada Theatre in The Dalles. The Mid-Columbia Economic Development District’s Mid-Columbia Innovation Hub puts on the event, now in its third year. MCEDD’s Jakob Lillvik says five finalists have been selected from about 30 applicants to pitch their startup business growth plans to a panel of investors and business leaders, competing for $21,000 in awards. Admission to PitchFest is free. It begins at 5:30 p.m. May 29 at the Granada Theatre. For more information and to RSVP go to mcedd.org.