Local startups highlighted through TechCelerator @ Luzerne County showcase
Apr. 3—WILKES-BARRE — The inaugural TechCelerator @ Luzerne County pitch showcase and celebration event was held at the THINK Center on Wednesday night. It was the culmination of a ten-week program, during which entrepreneurial ventures were developed by their creators.
During the program, the entrepreneurs were tasked with developing every aspect of their business plan, from customer development and financials to legal considerations and goal planning. The resulting business pitches were, in turn, presented to a panel of three judges on Wednesday evening.
The judges were Jeremy Satterfield, TechSpark Virginia at Microsoft; Jen Gilburg, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development; and Kevin O'Boyle, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.
"Tonight's about joy, it's about aspiration, and it's about passion," tecBRIDGE Executive Director Don Webster said before introducing the presentations, which included:
—Future-Proof Coaching, a platform meant to aid those looking to transition careers, presented by Stephanie Gresh.
—Hunting Positivity, a social media site based around uplifting content, presented by Hunter Wesolowski and Nathan Herman.
—State of Grace, a holistic wellness directory that is personalized to the user, presented by Jasmyne Morgans.
—Project Headway Co., a manufacturing concept offering alternative hair styling solutions, presented by Charleen Murdock.
—BedRez, a recovery resource for those in need of timely crisis care, presented by James Monahan.
—Vital Health Enterprises, a health care initiative aimed at providing care to veterans, presented by Angel Diaz Jr.
—Tri-Path Synergies, a client-centered plan emphasizing personal and professional wellness, presented by Shaliyah Jones Vitale.
After each presentation was complete, the judges offered advice and guidance to the presenters. The judges then retired briefly to determine which of the pitches was most worthy of the $2,000 grand prize.
"You did not make this decision easy for the three of us," Satterfield said to the entrepreneurs in contention.
Satterfield did the honors of announcing the winner, which was BedRez, presented by James Monahan. The winnings were not limited, however, as each of the other presenters were awarded $500 for their efforts.
"Each of you connected in a way with your personal stories, your attachement to what you want to do moving forward. All of the programming pieces are there. All seven of you guys are going to do wonderful."
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