SARATOGA, Calif. – Earth Foundries is proud to announce that Dorothea (Dede) Smullen has advanced to the 2026 WBENC Pitch National Semi-finals following an outstanding performance at the WBEC-Pacific Regional Pitch Showcase on August 25.

Selected as one of the entrepreneurs advancing from the regional competition, Dede will represent both WBEC-Pacific and Earth Foundries at the national semi-finals on November 2-3.

Earth Foundries is developing innovative solutions that support forest restoration, hazardous fuels reduction, biomass utilization, and environmental stewardship. Through its Slash Attack® mobile pyrolysis service, the company helps landowners, utilities, agencies, and communities convert unmerchantable woody material into beneficial biochar products while reducing costly hauling, pile burning, and disposal challenges.

“We’re honored by this recognition and excited for the opportunity to share Earth Foundries’ story with a national audience,” said Dede Smullen. “Our mission is to help restore healthier forests, create value from excess biomass, and support communities working to reduce wildfire risk.”

The WBENC Pitch competition showcases innovative women-owned businesses from across the country. Advancing to the national semi-finals provides Earth Foundries an opportunity to share its vision for scaling practical solutions that help address one of California’s most urgent challenges: restoring forests and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

As Earth Foundries continues to expand deployment of its Slash Attack® services and biochar products, the company remains focused on a simple mission:

#EndCatastrophicWildfire

For more information about Earth Foundries and its Slash Attack® mobile pyrolysis services, visit the company’s website or follow Earth Foundries on LinkedIn.

See Dede’s pitch here: https://youtu.be/fKf2F8cEVk8?si=cVyUnlp9CQyqnx66