Seven area startups got the opportunity to pitch to Silicon Valley investors last night as PitchForce STL returned to the Midwest. The virtual event was hosted locally by Audubon Associates. There’s no money with this one but both previous PitchForce STL winners, Provider Pool and GiftAMeal, later picked up $100,000 each through the Arch Grants new Growth Grants program providing follow-on capital to its portfolio companies.
Aaron Mottern, Agogie CEO
Aaron Mottern won last night in both the one minute and four minute competitions, something PitchForge founder Max Shapiro said was a first. Mottern founded resistance technology clothing brand Agogie in 2016 and has been in front of PitchForce two other times, something he highly recommends to any startup founder in the Midwest.
“What you really get out of PitchForce is when you get feedback, which is always valuable, no matter where you are in the fundraising stage,” Mottern told the 4thEst8, “Secondarily, being in the Midwest and being able to access coastal investors is very important. So pitching things like PitchForce and other things around the country enables that network while we’re in a remote environment.”
Pitching were:
- George Bailey, Zpods
- Natalie King, Bloom Beauty Brand
- Bryon Pierson, EduRain
- Brian Cross, InFortis
- Jesse Wolfersberger, Vrity
- Bronwyn Morgan, Xeo Air
On the 4thEst8:
