The 2024 Start Peninsula Championship Pitch event concluded with a burst of excitement and a showcase of incredible talent from across the region. After an evening filled with bold ideas and inspiring pitches, Crystal Lugo of B&C’s Gloves, Walt Smothers of Romulus Media, and Torrey C. Butler of Scribble emerged victorious, each earning a $5,000 prize to advance their entrepreneurial visions.
The event, which took place on November 6th via Zoom, brought together 12 diverse startups spanning technology, lifestyle, and innovative consumer products. This year’s winners embodied the spirit of creativity, resilience, and ambition that Start Peninsula seeks to cultivate in Hampton Roads.
- Crystal Lugo of B&C’s Gloves captured attention with her innovative 2-in-1 glove and fish scaler, providing a practical, safer solution for fishing enthusiasts.
- Walt Smothers of Romulus Media showcased a fresh take on collegiate marketing, building a network of over 700 student marketers to connect brands like Samsung and Tinder with university communities.
- Torrey C. Butler of Scribble delivered a compelling vision for a literary platform connecting authors, readers, and publishing resources, supporting undiscovered talent and fostering a dynamic literary community.
The other startups that participated each received $500, along with something invaluable: access to 757 Collab‘s programming, including their new Capital Readiness Program, designed to empower these entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive in the Hampton Roads ecosystem.
The evening also featured a compelling keynote conversation with Tahjere Lewis, the 2022 Start Peninsula winner and founder of Aunt Carol’s Sauce. Tahjere’s journey from Start Peninsula winner to successful entrepreneur is a testament to the power of the program and the incredible impact it has had on the community. His insights into perseverance and growth were both motivational and practical, inspiring this year’s participants to push forward.
The judges for the evening brought a wealth of expertise, offering perspectives from venture capital to legal guidance. Rachel Wilson of BFM Fund, Sabrina Hammell of 757 Collab, Carlton Campbell, a serial entrepreneur, Steve Dubois, Managing Partner of PPB Law, and Gary Grenter of Virginia ICAP all played a pivotal role in selecting the winners and providing valuable feedback.
Start Peninsula is committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, and the success of this year’s event is a testament to the thriving startup culture in Hampton Roads. The excitement doesn’t stop here—applications for Start Peninsula 2025 are now open! Entrepreneurs with big ideas are encouraged to apply at https://www.startpeninsula.com/pitch-application/.
