Ben Franklin TechCelerator’s Virtual Pitch on June 2: Help Choose a Winner

Image: TechCelerator @ State College

Six local entrepreneurial teams are completing a 10-week virtual business startup boot camp as part of Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator @State College, in partnership with the Invent Penn State initiative. On Wednesday, June 2, 2021 beginning at 2 p.m., these teams will be pitching their business concepts to a panel of independent judges for a cash prize of up to $10,000. Zoom audience members can vote for their favorite presentation and award a cash prize of $1,000 in the People’s Choice Award.

 

You can be part of the Zoom audience!

 

Visit https://psu.zoom.us/j/8143608157 or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16468769923, 8143608157# or +13017158592, 8143608157#. 

 

Image: TechCelerator @ State College

 

 

TechCelerator’s rigorous 10-week class helps promote Happy Valley’s robust startup culture with training that includes a variety of topics, like market research, basic financials and funding options. During the process, the teams receive stipends to assist with prototyping and customer discovery expenses, as well as initial legal and accounting advice. At the end of the program, teams pitch their business ideas to a panel of local professionals, with the possibility of winning cash prizes up to $10,000. 

So far, Ben Franklin has invested more than $3.3 million in 24 of these companies, many of which are based on technology developed at Penn State University. All told, nearly 150 companies have formed thanks to TechCelerator, generating more than 300 new jobs and $26 million in revenue. 

This bootcamp’s cohort represents an exciting mix of emerging products and services. 

• Greg Stewart with Open Quarter Master is developing a modular inventory management system for personal and industrial applications.
• Olivia and Eva Weinstein with The Pursuit By You are developing a strategically engineered nutrition program that uses behavior modification techniques to encourage healthier lifestyle choices.
• Ankil Mamman with AlphaSlate is developing an education platform that creates a personalized learning itinerary for K-12 students.
• Tina Annes with toARguide is developing an augmented reality (AR) platform for mobile phones that allows the user to visit historical and cultural sites with visuals and information.
• Krutik Patel with Koin Keepr is developing a platform that allows merchants to offer a “cash roundup” service that converts change into in-store credits.
• Ellen Matis with Hello Social offers expert-level marketing services to small, rural business owners.

You can be part of the Zoom audience by dialing https://psu.zoom.us/j/8143608157 or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16468769923, 8143608157# or +13017158592, 8143608157#.