The Start Peninsula 2020 winners have been announced after an exciting series of virtual micro pitch competitions. The three winners, Chair One Fitness, Hottrok, and Wave Coffee Brewer, will each receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and a six-month community membership to Launchpad, the Greater Williamsburg Business Incubator. Chair One Fitness has developed a unique chair-based dance fitness program, Hottrok has created a performance-based tiling substrate with thermal and acoustic insulating properties, and Wave Coffee Brewer has designed a coffee brewing system for K-Cups to be used in a microwave oven. The competition, which began in 2012, aims to foster entrepreneurship and connect entrepreneurs with opportunities to validate their business ideas and earn capital.
Winners Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Laura Messer
Nov. 5, 2020 757-253-6607; laura.messer@jamescitycountyva.gov
Winners Announced for Start Peninsula 2020
Following two virtual micro pitch competitions and a final pitch competition, Start Peninsula is pleased to announce its three winners for 2020: Chair One Fitness, Hottrok and Wave Coffee Brewer.
- Chair One Fitness is a comprehensive chair-based dance fitness program created for individuals who have complications standing or are unable to stand during a fitness regimen.
- Hottrok is a performance-based tiling substrate that serves as a radiant heat carrier. It is the only substrate on the market that readily accepts warm wire and has both thermal and acoustic insulating properties.
- Wave Coffee Brewer is a coffee brewing system that works for K-Cups in a microwave oven.
Prizes and Community Membership
Each winner will receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and will receive a six month community membership to Launchpad, the Greater Williamsburg Business Incubator. The virtual pitch competition included 10 participants, who had participated in previous events in September and October. The seven other participants will receive a small cash prize for their efforts. All contestants will continue to have access to and gain guidance from local economic development departments.
Event Details
Pitches were five minutes with a three minute question-and-answer session with the judges. The final event included a keynote from Safety Nailer, who participated in Start Peninsula 2018 and was featured on Shark Tank earlier this year.
Judges
Judges included:
- Carlton Campbell, Anthem, Inc. and the City of Hampton Economic Development Authority
- Daniel Clark, 757 Angels
- Ian Frazier, 757 Accelerate
- Rachel Frazier, William & Mary
- William Turner, Wells Fargo and the James City County Economic Development Authority
About Start Peninsula
Start Peninsula builds entrepreneurship on the Peninsula and celebrates our local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event helps develop early stage businesses – those with a product or service that is still being brought to fruition and connects those entrepreneurs with opportunities to validate their business ideas and earn capital. The event is backed by six regional Economic Development Authorities, who are eager to support entrepreneurship. Start Peninsula began in 2012.
Start Peninsula 2020 was hosted by the Greater Williamsburg area including James City County, the City of Williamsburg and York County, in partnership with the Cities of Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or the FAQ page.
Question & Answer
1. What are the names of the three winners of Start Peninsula 2020?
Chair One Fitness, Hottrok, and Wave Coffee Brewer are the three winners of Start Peninsula 2020.
2. What is Chair One Fitness?
Chair One Fitness is a chair-based dance fitness program designed for individuals who have difficulties standing during workouts.
3. What is Hottrok?
Hottrok is a performance-based tiling substrate with thermal and acoustic insulating properties that serves as a radiant heat carrier.
4. What is Wave Coffee Brewer?
Wave Coffee Brewer is a coffee brewing system designed for K-Cups to be used in a microwave oven.
