By Tim Ryan

Innovate Hampton Roads is thrilled to share an extraordinary showcase of entrepreneurial talent and groundbreaking business ideas with you. On November 8th, from 6 to 8 PM via Zoom, Start Peninsula will host its Championship Pitch event, featuring the most promising dozen pitchers and business concepts in 2023. This is where innovation meets opportunity – and you can witness it all from the comfort of your home.

Let’s take a quick look at the lineup of burgeoning businesses poised to make waves across various industries:

  • AdvisorFinder: Revolutionizing how we connect with financial advisors through a user-friendly online marketplace.
  • B & C’s Gloves LLC: Bringing practicality to fishing with their innovative 2-in-1 glove and fish scaler.
  • Ellipticraft: Merging fitness with leisure, this watercraft offers a unique elliptical exercise experience on the water.
  • Forentify: Leading the fight against digital deception with their advanced media detection software.
  • FreeLife, LLC: A social recovery platform that transforms recovery into an accessible, enjoyable, and community-supported journey.
  • Game On! Cafe: A haven for gaming aficionados that marries the thrill of video games with the charm of café culture.
  • InfraSGA: Offering a bioretention solution that’s as simple as it is adaptable, ideal for urban environments.
  • KeepUp: A SaaS innovation that ensures business professionals stay closely connected with their clients.
  • SongGram: Delivering high-quality, original songs, now venturing into custom jingle cards for a personalized touch
  • StewTech: A PEV company that’s setting new standards with their performance scooters.
  • The B.O.B.O. Collective: Empowering Black-owned CPG businesses to scale with necessary resources for production and distribution.
  • Vino Visa: An app that’s creating a community for wine enthusiasts and wineries alike.

The event boasts a judging panel as distinguished as the ideas presented, featuring industry mavens who bring a wealth of experience from across sectors:

  • CJ Spady: offers her vast entrepreneurial insights drawn from both local and San Francisco markets.
  • Evans McMillion: infuses the panel with executive consultancy acumen, focusing on healthcare and climate resilience.
  • William McPheat: shares his in-depth pharmaceutical industry knowledge.
  • Marty Kaszubowski: brings his aerospace engineering background and incubator experience to the table.
  • Paul Nolde: the executive director of 757 Collab, lends his extensive banking, finance, and venture capital expertise to the mix.
  • Taylor Schaude: draws on a decade of venture capital and management consulting experience.

And to add to the event’s luster, Steve Waddell will be the keynote speaker. Steve is not just an engineer turned celebrated entrepreneur; he’s a previous Start Peninsula pitcher and visionary who has turned the tides of innovation with Nasoni. Steve’s journey is a beacon of entrepreneurial spirit, from winning startup competitions to securing a $2.022M Phase II SBIR Grant. His book, “Valuepreneurs,” is a treasure trove of wisdom, and we can’t wait to hear his insights live.

This is more than an event – it’s a glimpse into the future of business innovation. The championship pitch is free and open to the public. Seize the chance to be part of this inspiring event by registering here.

Join us as we celebrate the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in Hampton Roads. We promise you an evening of excitement, learning, and networking that could redefine the trajectory of your professional path. Don’t just watch the future happen – be a part of shaping it with us on November 8th!