A group of Montgomery County entrepreneurs had the opportunity recently to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges, competing for grants to help them grow their businesses.
The “Montgomery County Business Pitch Competition – Fuel Your Growth” event was held May 6 at Jeffersonville Golf Club in West Norriton Township. Five finalists presented their pitches to a panel of three judges, with 80 in attendance to cheer them on.
The event was hosted by the Norristown Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center. KeyBank Foundation and KeyBank awarded a $25,000 Grant to the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center to administer a business plan pitch competition in conjunction with the chamber, to target Pennsylvania Montgomery County entrepreneurs, according to a press release.
“This competition was more than a contest; it was a catalyst for economic growth,” Iola Harper, executive director of the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center, said in a statement. “We sought visionary entrepreneurs — from tech innovators to local retail and service providers — who are ready to change the landscape of Montgomery County.”
During the May 6 event, each presenter had five minutes to highlight their enterprise, emphasize key features of their business, market prospects, financial outlook, competitive landscape, and the capabilities of their team.
The three-judge panel considered innovation, market potential, and financial sustainability when selecting the winners, according to the release. Judges included: Ashley Wilson of Bar Down Investments; Eugene Campbell of the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center; and Rahwa Teklai of KeyBank.
Competition Results
• First Place — $7,500: Character Translations Inc. DBA Provost Fabrication, Ardia Dayton and Geno Dayton. The Norristown design and manufacturing facility specializes in the creation/production of mascots, puppets and custom costumes.
• Second Place — $5,000: Von C Brewing, Rick, Jay and Eric von Czoernig, a microbrewery and tasting room in Norristown that also features an outdoor beer garden.
• Third Place — $2,500: Done & Done, Ajee Cook. The company assists businesses with their administrative and operational tasks.
In addition, two finalists received $750 each for participating: New Narratives Therapy, Cecelia Baldwin; Divine and Diverse: Enhancing Your Finances, Dianna Thornton.
“When small businesses succeed, our communities are stronger,” Youseff Tannous, Eastern Pennsylvania market president at KeyBank, said in a statement. “Through Key4Women and our partnership with the Women’s Opportunities Resource Center, we’re proud to support the Business Pitch Competition and help connect Philadelphia entrepreneurs with the mentorship and resources they need to grow.”
