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A hammock startup that donates gear to someone in poverty with each purchase is the winner of the latest 5×5 Night.
High Hopes Hammock Company received $5,000 as the winner of Start Garden’s August 5×5 Night, which was hosted at the Muskegon Innovation Hub.
High Hopes manufactures a velcro-cocoon design that's “different from any other hammock on the market.” It retails for $49.99 at its website.
The design is meant to protect users from rain, wind, insects and cold weather, making it a useful product for homeless people who receive them as a donation.
Founded by Central Michigan University students in 2015, the Mount Pleasant-based startup donates a hammock, meal or survival kit to someone living in poverty with each purchase of a hammock. Founder Connor Moynihan presented the idea at 5×5 Night.
Since 2015, High Hopes says it has sold more than 2,500 hammocks and made donations across the world.
About $3,000 of the winnings will go toward marketing efforts, including videography, market research and paid online promotion, with the remainder being spent on the company’s next inventory purchase.