DEMIblue Natural Nails took home the big foam check from the Pitches Get Stitches – and $500 pitch competition.
“This was my first time back out into the networking and pitching environment in over a year and it was awesome,” CEO Michelle Robinson told bizblip. “One of the most important pieces of feedback that I received was that I really needed to educate people about the differentiation of my products to other products that are on the market, and really be specific with with why my product is different and why people should really learn about it and support this brand.”
Other contenders:
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Shades of Color, 2nd place (and people’s choice)
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Tulia Feminine Care, 3rd place
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StockSwap
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JAKAPA
The competition is for early-stage startups that are not quite ready to get before investors. Judges include Vikram Lakhwara of Green Cow VC, Anjie Sanford of BioGenerator and Kathleen Klein of T-REX. The competition is organized by bizblip parent company, News Lab Inc., with prizes and space provided by ITEN and T-REX. TechSTL Executive Director Emily Hemingway served as emcee.
In addition to feedback from judges, all participants are referred to resources and mentoring they can use to help build their startups. Those leaving without the foam check are invited to come back in six months and show the community how they’ve advanced.
“It’s a pitch contest and the companies varied greatly with regards to maturity of the actual company,” judge Vikram Lakhwara of Green Cow VC said. “We really weighed storytelling and ability to convey their value proposition… charisma, confidence meets command of her market landscape.”
On bizblip:
