Improv performers and entrepreneurial personalities team up for March 25 comedy game show debut
ASHEVILLE, NC – March 11, 2026 – AVL Digital Nomads today announced the on-stage talent lineup for SideHustle Live, the interactive comedy game show blending Shark Tank-style pitches with improv comedy. Three teams pairing professional comedians with local business leaders will face off against audience volunteers on Wednesday, March 25 at The Mule at Devil’s Foot.
The format pits creativity against hilarity: teams receive random business names and industries – like “Monkey Butter” in the “Sports and Outdoors” category – then have minutes to craft and pitch outrageous startup concepts to a live audience. One volunteer team from the audience joins the on-stage action each round, ensuring everyone gets in on the fun.
The Comedian Roster:
Jon Bander is an improviser who has also worked for The Second City Theatricals, bringing professional comedy chops to startup ideation.
Shannon Krowicki is an actor, singer, and comedian known for her ability to transform absurd concepts into compelling performances.
Stacey Uria is obsessed with the improv community, bringing passionate energy and collaborative spirit to every pitch battle.
The Business Personalities:
Andi Graham, CEO of Big Sea, leads one of Asheville’s premier digital agencies and understands what makes ideas stick.
Ric Pratte, Founder/CEO of AVL Digital Nomads and Thrive Remotely, has built his career connecting remote professionals with thriving communities.
Shellie Sullivan, Chief Growth Officer at Abby AI and Cofounder of Thrive Remotely, brings startup scaling expertise and a competitive edge.
“Pairing improvisers with business leaders creates this perfect storm of creativity and strategic thinking,” said Ric Pratte, Founder of AVL Digital Nomads. “You’ll see a CEO trying to justify why ‘Monkey Butter’ revolutionizes rock climbing, while a comedian builds an actual business model around it. The magic is watching both sides push each other to brilliance, or beautiful chaos.”
The on-stage teams compete across multiple rounds, with audience members voting on winning pitches while also forming their own teams to jump into the action. The result is organized pandemonium that somehow leads to genuine professional connections.
“What makes this format work is that everyone’s equally ridiculous,” said Tomer Soran, Co-Founder of SideHustle Games. “A venture capitalist and a barista have the same shot at pitching the best idea for ‘Sunset Gravy’ in the healthcare industry. Hierarchies disappear when everyone’s laughing.”
The event serves as an accessible warm-up to HatchThis, Asheville’s intensive entrepreneurial accelerator and hackathon running March 27–29, giving participants a low-pressure introduction to the region’s startup ecosystem.
Following the 75-minute show, attendees transition into a structured networking mixer where conversations sparked on stage continue naturally—no business cards or awkward small talk required.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
- Time: 6:30 PM doors | 7:30 PM show | 8:45 PM networking mixer
- Location: The Mule at Devil’s Foot, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville, NC
- Registration: https://www.meetup.com/avl-digital-nomads/events/312638055/
- Video Preview: https://youtu.be/yl11O6x0CEI
Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.
About SideHustle Live SideHustle Live is an interactive comedy game show where entrepreneurs and creatives team up to pitch ridiculous business ideas based on random prompts. Produced by Austin-based SideHustle Games, the format has toured multiple U.S. cities, creating authentic professional connections through shared laughter and creative collaboration.
About AVL Digital Nomads AVL Digital Nomads is a community dedicated to integrating remote, flexible, and independent professionals into Asheville’s vibrant business landscape. Through events, collaboration, and ecosystem partnerships, ADN supports the continued economic and cultural vitality of the region.
