Pitch & Pour - Thursday Nov. 2, 2023
Join us for an evening of food, drinks, and networking as you learn about our region's up-and-coming advancements and connect with local entrepreneurs, investors, and tech enthusiasts.
Click the button below to register on Eventbrite.
* Please bring a valid form of ID. The name on your ticket must match the name on your ID. Attendees 21+ will be given a wristband.
Established in 2013, Pitch & Pour encourages northwest Ohio entrepreneurs to submit their tech ideas and startups into a rigorous due diligence process examining concept novelty, developmental stage, and potential for success. The top five high-tech/high-growth innovations are chosen from dozens of applicants to compete for more than $17,000 in funding and prizes as they present their best 5-minute pitch to a judging panel of experienced investors and business leaders.
Finalists
MEDevicE
A telestroke eye examination tool created to accurately assess visual fields and monitor eye movements. The head-mounted device contains a camera that faces the eyes of the user, and allows medical professionals to remotely evaluate the patient's field of vision without relying on observations from a bedside assistant.
Presenter - Dr. Mouhammad Jumaa, Inventor & Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
To learn more, click the button below to visit their technology overview.
NEEZ21
One in three Americans suffer from nasal allergies. NEEZ21 is a rechargeable device that makes rinsing your nasal cavity quick, easy, and comfortable. The cleaning system gently moistens a disposable, soft cotton tip with a low flow of saline. The tip gently spins to rinse any allergens, viruses, or bacteria out of the nasal cavity.
Presenter - Dr. Kemi Azeez, Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
To learn more, click the button below to watch the instructional YouTube video.
Pipnote
An AI platform built to redefine the accessibility of medical knowledge. Pipnote navigates a comprehensive database of verified medical resources to provide students and clinicians with prompt, accurate, up-to-date answers, and list of corresponding source citations. The interactive tool also adapts to the users' learning style, transforming the engine into a personalized study aid - helping increase information comprehension and retention.
Presenter - Rushabh Patel, Co-Founder
To learn more, click the button below to visit their website.
TackBox
An app created to connect equine event vendors and attendees, TackBox delivers convenience right to your stall or trailer. The 24/7 digital marketplace lets users coordinate show pre-orders, deliveries, pick-ups, navigate product lists by location or event, and complete purchases from the palm of their hands. Vendors receive access to a secure portal where they can manage product listings for multiple events, view sales analytics and set hours of operation.
Presenter - Joyce Kilpatrick, Co-Founder
To learn more, click the button below to visit their website.
The Koolpad
A patented case design that provides optimal temperature control for iPads in the most extreme environments. Users can slide specialized heating or cooling packs into the integrated, condensation-free compartment to protect devices from physical damage, operating delays, and rapid battery drain.
Presenter - Melinda Alic, Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
To learn more, click the button below to visit their website.
Judges
Anne L. Balazs, Ph.D.
Dr. Anne L. Balazs became the first female dean of the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation in 2018. She is an alumna of Smith College (A.B. Economics) and earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Her research on value congruency, elderly consumer behavior, health care advertising, and retailing has appeared in the Journal of International Marketing, Journal of Consumer Affairs, Psychology & Marketing, and the Journal of Business Research and has been funded by the Swedish Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and the Richard D. Irwin Publishing Company.
Ebony Carter
Ebony Carter, V.P. of Minority Business Services and Director of the MBAC. She has
worked with small businesses and start-up companies for the past 6 years assisting
with funding opportunities, strategic financial planning, and company structural planning.
Her previous position as a Financial Analyst at the University of Toledo sparked her
mission to become a trusted resource who helps inform and equip small businesses with
the necessary tools and skills to reach their goals.
Leon Cheng, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
at the University of Toledo. His latest research focuses on Cyber-Physical-Human Systems.
Dr. Cheng has served on panels to review grant proposals for the National Science
Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), National Institute of Health (NIH),
Nebraska Research Initiative (NRI), Swedish Knowledge Foundation, Austrian Science
Fund, and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority.
Jessica Sattler
Jessica is a Senior Project Manager for the Regional Growth Partnership. She has spent the past 17 years in various roles in economic development, including nearly 7 years as the director of economic engagement and business development programs at the University of Toledo. During her time in economic development, she has worked with all types of businesses, ranging from tech startups at the incubator to small businesses and large corporations. She specializes in vetting business growth potential and fund development for civic and community projects and business growth and development.
Troy Szopo
Troy is a Director at Stout Risius Ross, a global investment bank and advisory firm specializing in corporate finance, valuation, financial disputes, and investigations. Troy provides valuation services for various purposes such as purchase price allocations, impairment exercises, federal tax, and shareholder disputes. In addition to his work at Stout, Troy is the Director of Woodward Angels, an angel investing group in the greater Detroit area. Additionally, Troy has served as a startup coach for New Enterprise Forum, where he mentored entrepreneurs in their quest to raise capital for their early-stage businesses.
sPONSORS
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our generous event sponsors for their invaluable support and contribution. To learn more about the organizations, click the corresponding links below.
- City of Toledo
- Consolidated Research, LLC.
- Jobs Ohio
- Jumpstart
- LISC Toledo
- Personal Growth Network Consulting
- PNC Bank
- Regional Growth Partnership (RGP)
- Super C Repair & Service
- The University of Toledo John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation
- The University of Toledo Family Business Center
- The University of Toledo Office of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnership
Event Schedule
- 5:00 - Registration, Food, Drinks, and Networking
- 6:00 - Introductions
- 6:15 - Contestant Pitches and Feedback from Judges
- 8:00 - Award Presentation
- 8:30 - Closing Remarks