Venture Connectors

*In-person events have been canceled until further notice.

Oct. 7 Virtual Lunch: Venture Sharks Finals!

Jump in the water with the Venture Sharks!

Venture Connectors’ 11th annual business pitch competition is going virtual! Early-stage companies and entrepreneurs who are seeking funding for their business plans will compete for cash and prizes. Venture Sharks has awarded more than $100,000 in prizes since it was launched in 2010.

OUR FINALISTS HAVE BEEN SELECTED! They are: 
  • Borderless, an online bank payment processor enabling affordable and direct digital payments from anywhere in the world without the need for foreign bank accounts.
  • BrainSTEM, an educational tech startup that provides in-person and virtual learning via a proprietary virtual learning environment and social network that allows students to participate in STEM classes, projects and clubs.
  • CASPER Security, a company that helps municipalities protect first responders and neighbors from vacant and abandoned property disasters through rapid deployments of a proprietary, solar-powered home security system.
  • Pav*r, an integrated productivity tool that leverages calendar data to help users get more done in less time.

Venture Connectors received more than 30 applications from entrepreneurs across the region. The Venture Sharks selection committee chose the top eight ideas for the first round of competition, which was held during a closed pitch session on Sept. 24. The four finalists were selected based on the viability of their business, the quality of their presentation and the impact the Venture Sharks prize could have on their company.

During the virtual finals event, competitors will be given a few minutes to present, then the judges will fire off questions to them in the style of the popular television show, “Shark Tank.” One lucky survivor will receive a prize package designed to help them take their idea to market, including a $5,000 cash award, one-on-one mentoring from established entrepreneurs and advisors, as well as in-kind services provided by Open i Advisors and other sponsors.

For more about the competition, click here.

The Oct. 7 finals event will be held via Zoom from noon-1 p.m. and is open to the public. It’s free to Venture Connectors members and $10 for guests. Click here to register. For questions, email us at contact@ventureconnectors.org.