Front Desk wins judges’ choice at Pitch N Pint
by January 19, 2016 1:42 pm 171 views
The second edition of the popular Pitch ‘N’ Pint by the Venture Center was held Jan. 16 at the Flying Saucer in downtown Little Rock where attendees listened to business pitches and enjoyed Lost Forty Beer and appetizers.
“Pitch ‘N’ Pint has been really popular in the community,” said Lee Watson, president and CEO of The Venture Center. “People come together to present early stage ideas and receive exposure and support from the startup community. It’s a great way to pull those early entrepreneurial ideas, that we all have at one time or another, out of our garages and into the community where they can potentially grow and flourish.”
About 75 participants attended the event according to the Venture’ Center’s Steve Rice with 20 people giving a 60-second pitch. Results were tabulated by Little Rock’s SumoText.
Judges for the pitch contest included Marie Bruno, Tim Miller, and David DePoyster.
“Fellows with the Delta Entrepreneurship Network (DEN) were in Little Rock for support training at The Venture Center in preparation for their trip to New Orleans Entrepreneur Week in the Spring,” Rice added. “Many of the Fellows joined Pitch ‘N’ Pint, a great opportunity to practice their 60-second pitches.”
People’s choice winners were:
• Feather, an online platform that connects families with seniors who need in-home care to independent, qualified caregivers;
• Desk Agent, a Small Business Management System created to streamline everyday tasks; and
• FIn Gourmet. The goal of FIn Gourmet is to create a synergistic relationship between fishermen and fish product industries.
The Judges’ Choice Winner was Front Desk, a technology solution for hotels and other service providers to connect more easily with their patrons.
“A program like Pitch ‘N’ Pint gives Little Rock a chance to get out and have some fun with friends,” said Jessica Johnston-Myers, director of Programs for The Venture Center. “It brings the people together for a fast-paced, innovation exercise that allows the community to engage entrepreneurs in a way they might not otherwise.”
The judges’ choice was awarded $1,000 cash prize.
The next Pitch ‘N’ Pint will be summer 2016. The Venture Center’s Spring Pre-Accelerator class will begin Jan. 25.
The Venture Center is an entrepreneurial hub which helps accelerate the growth of local startups using strategic mentorship network, industry-focused pre-accelerator classes and various other programs.