Hy-Vee Inc. awarded $50,000 to minority- and women-owned businesses during the Hy-Vee OpportUNITY Inclusive Business Summit at the Sioux Falls Convention Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. During the pitch competition component of the event, 15 companies from across the Midwest presented to a panel of judges and more than 150 event attendees. The competition included celebrity judge Paul Wahlberg, executive chef and co-owner of Wahlburgers and Almo Nove. Additional judges included Brienne Maner, president for Startup Sioux Falls, Ricky Espino, vice president for Inca Salsa and Shelby Stritzke, vice president, fashion, beauty, innovation for Hy-Vee. West Des Moines-based comic book publisher Aniekanabasi White of Sensiil Studios was awarded $5,000.