A pitch can change what happens next.
At Start Peninsula’s Micro Pitch 3, 10 companies stepped forward with ideas spanning health, hospitality, food, sports and small business. Each had to explain the problem, make a case for its solution and answer questions from judges Zack Miller, Cristal Cardenas of Fulton Bank and Dan Girouard, a retired economic development specialist.
Three companies earned a place in the championship round on November 11, where they will compete for $5,000.
Build Creatively is helping companies create their own pitch decks, define their branding and organize their marketing. The platform grew out of more than a decade of work designing those materials for clients.
SandClaw, developed by Peake Shores, began with a problem beach volleyball players know well: pulling heavy posts out of sand. Its patented tool also helps users reach hardware near the top of a post without bringing a separate ladder onto the beach. The company sees potential uses beyond volleyball, from landscaping to event setup.
Test Me! Lab Solutions brings mobile, DOT-compliant drug testing to employers across Hampton Roads. It is also preparing to launch The Her Panel, designed to give women direct access to comprehensive lab testing without a doctor’s referral.
The rest of the room showed how many different problems people are working to solve.
Asha House is developing a Hampton Roads destination that brings fitness, recovery, nourishing food and community together under one roof.
Compass & Code Hospitality turns underused RVs into short-term rentals, with a plan to reinvest the income in long-term real estate.
College Prep Golf Academy is building online classes taught by college coaches so junior golfers and their families can better understand recruiting decisions. Its first series is in production with Christopher Newport University’s Division III men’s golf coach.
Lotus Love Digital Solutions helps small businesses use AI through training and consulting, while developing an AI agent to support day-to-day project execution.
The Gentleman Florist is building an owner-operated flower shop franchise model with revenue from retail, events, subscriptions and after-hours vending.
SoulLift Medical Transport plans to help patients get to dialysis, follow-up appointments and other essential care. The idea came from its founder’s 13 years as a registered nurse and seeing what happens when transportation stands between a patient and treatment.
Grow Pros designs and installs ready-to-grow home gardens, handling everything from irrigation and soil preparation to planting.
Different businesses. Different stages. One shared step forward.
For Build Creatively, SandClaw and Test Me! Lab Solutions, the next pitch comes with $5,000 on the line. For everyone who took the stage, Micro Pitch 3 was a chance to put an idea in front of people who would ask the questions needed to make it stronger.
