On Thursday, Nov. 7, five technology startups will pitch their innovations at the Tech419 pitch competition and networking event hosted by the University of Toledo Business Incubator.
The event, formerly known as “Pitch and Pour,” has been reimagined as one of Northwest Ohio’s largest entrepreneurial competitions, with area entrepreneurs competing for more than $19,000 in business funding. Participants will have five minutes to pitch their concept to a judging panel of local entrepreneurs, technology experts, and investors.
Joyce Kilpatrick, an employee of TackBox, a northwest Ohio startup that has developed a digital marketplace for horse show vendors and competitors, is hosting the 2023 Tech419 (formerly “Pitch & Pour”) event. during which they will present their first-place pitch to a panel of judges.
The event will also provide ample opportunities for networking with investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders, fostering collaboration within the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.
This free public event begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Nitsche Technology Commercialization Complex on the main campus. Parking in Area 20 is free from 3pm.
Among this year’s innovations are two related to UToledo. One is a high-yield plastic recycling process created by Dr. Sridhar Viamajala, a professor in the Department of Bioengineering, and the other is a web and mobile application for discovering local events, founded by Derek, a UToledo alumnus. Whittaker.
Last year’s winner was Joyce Kilpatrick of TackBox, a northwest Ohio startup that developed a digital marketplace for horse show vendors and competitors.
2024 teams in the Tech419 Pitch Competition:
• Avani Enterprises was proposed by Sridhar Viamajala, professor in the Department of Bioengineering and founder and CEO of Avani Enterprises. This is a high-yield recycling process for waste polypropylene, producing a nearly virgin product that can be used as a direct polypropylene replacement in the manufacturing process, reducing environmental impact and supporting a circular economy.
• CerviStrength Solutions was proposed by Dr. Burton Rogers, director of sports medicine partnerships and business development at Mercy Health and founder of CerviStrength Solutions. It tests a patient’s neck strength, uses the output data to determine concussion risk, and creates a personalized training program to strengthen neck strength and reduce the likelihood of concussive injuries. It’s a comprehensive system.
• EventPin, presented by Matthew Medlin, EventPin Chief Operations Officer. Founded by UToledo alumnus Derek Whitaker, EventPin is a local A web and mobile application that revolutionizes event discovery.
• EZ – FIT. Sponsored by Jomoko Graves, inventor and founder of IDEA Intellectual Property Holdings. EZ – FIT is a durable and intuitive spout designed to improve liquid dispensing from 5-gallon buckets and reduce waste and risk of injury.
• SuReLight, sponsored by Jayaraman Sivaguru, Antonia Wilson Professor of Chemistry and Deputy Director of the Photochemical Science Center at Bowling Green State University, and Founder and CEO of SuReLight. SuReLight is a plant-based photoinitiator that provides a sustainable, non-toxic solution for curing under UV and visible light, improving energy efficiency and safety while also being used in a variety of applications such as automotive finishes and coatings. It allows for customization across a variety of applications, making it an ideal choice for industry. We aim to adopt more environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.
The judging panel consisted of Dr. Thomas Brady, founder of Plastic Technologies Inc. and a packaging technology innovator known for his contributions to the development of PET bottles. April Welch, Deputy Director of Economic Development for the City of Toledo, focused on promoting local business growth and supporting regional entrepreneurs. Lisa Halsey, Senior Program Associate at Women of Toledo, is dedicated to empowering women and BIPOC business owners to overcome barriers to success. Todd Hendricks Jr., President of Robotic Maintenance Vehicles and Pioneer Industrial Systems, driving innovation in automation and robotics. and LeSean Shaw, COO of Actual Reality Technologies and co-founder of EmpoweredAI, advocates for equal access to technology and promotes Toledo’s technology ecosystem.
All competitors will be admitted to UToledo’s business incubator program. This program fosters innovation in Northwest Ohio by providing access to funding, expert advice, resources and frameworks essential to success.
Admission is free, but participants must be 18 years or older and must pre-register online at the Tech419 website.
