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Start Peninsula judges pick fitness, coffee and heated floor concepts as winners

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Peter Van Davelaar (top left) of Wave Coffee Brewer, Alexis Perkins of Chair One Fitness and Rodger Bennett and Celeste Vaughn of Hottrok (bottom) were named the winners of Start Peninsula via Zoom on Nov. 4.

Peter Van Davelaar (top left) of Wave Coffee Brewer, Alexis Perkins of Chair One Fitness and Rodger Bennett and Celeste Vaughn of Hottrok (bottom) were named the winners of Start Peninsula via Zoom on Nov. 4. (Courtesy image)

Three startups will get $5,000 each and help growing their businesses after winning this year’s virtual Start Peninsula contest on Nov. 4.

Of 10 finalists, the winners selected by a panel of judges were Chair One Fitness, Hottrok and Wave Coffee Brewer.

Alexis Perkins, a Zumba instructor for 11 years and former lead instructor for Fuzion Fitness that aired a TV program in Hampton Roads, pitched Chair One Fitness, a chair-based dance fitness program. She told judges her eyes opened after a couple of the chair-based exercise videos she posted online garnered hundreds of thousands of views. One on YouTube garnered more than 597,000 views — many more views than her typical fitness videos.

“So, we know that the fitness industry is really good about getting people excited to work out but they forgot an entire demographic — they forgot all the people who can’t stand so well,” Perkins said.

Chair One Fitness offers on-demand workout videos, virtual classes with a live instructor or in-person classes. A large part of the business is its instructor training program. Perkins said she started developing chair choreography nine years ago because of demand. Instructors can use their certifications to teach through Chair One or at churches or other facilities. Instructors can become members for access to ongoing education, choreography and other resources.

Start Peninsula helps encourage entrepreneurs to keep going, particularly when they validate their business ideas, she said.

“It gives you a little bit more confidence to keep pushing,” Perkins said. “All entrepreneurs, they need a lot of grit.”

Rodger Bennett, a professional tile setter, and Celeste Vaughn pitched Hottrok, which is a panel system installed beneath tiles for heated floors. They said their substrate product comes in a grid pattern with a predictable flat surface to make it easier for contractors to install floor heating. He said the material readily accepts warm wire and has both thermal and acoustic insulating properties.

The co-founders plan to work with custom builders initially and Hottrok could even help grow the market for heated flooring, they said.

“Electric radiant heat is the way of the future,” Bennett told the judges.

Inventor Peter Van Davelaar in Norfolk pitched Wave Coffee Brewer, a brewing system made for K-cups that sits atop a mug in the microwave. He developed the product as a portable solution for traveling in recreational vehicles or for easy storage and saving counter space, like in an apartment or dorm room. He plans to sell the system online at WaveTravelBrewer.com.

“It’s nice to get positive feedback on an invention that I’ve been working on,” Van Davelaar said. “It’s nice to have some indication that I’m not going in the wrong direction.”

The winners also received a six month community membership to Launchpad, the Greater Williamsburg Business Incubator, according to a news release.

Start Peninsula, which began in 2012, was hosted by Williamsburg, James City County and York County in partnership with the cities of Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson. The event is funded by the six regional economic development authorities to support entrepreneurship.

Tara Bozick, 757-247-4741, tbozick@insidebiz.com

Start Peninsula Login

Winners Announced for Start Peninsula 2020

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

Media Contact: Laura Messer, 757-253-6607; laura.messer@jamescitycountyva.gov

Nov. 5, 2020

Winners Announced for Start Peninsula 2020

Following two virtual micro pitch competitions and a final pitch competition, Start Peninsula is pleased to announce its three winners for 2020: Chair One Fitness, Hottrok and Wave Coffee Brewer.

  • Chair One Fitness is a comprehensive chair-based dance fitness program created for individuals who have complications standing or are unable to stand during a fitness regimen.
  • Hottrok is a performance-based tiling substrate that serves as a radiant heat carrier. It is the only substrate on the market that readily accepts warm wire and has both thermal and acoustic insulating properties.
  • Wave Coffee Brewer is a coffee brewing system that works for K-Cups in a microwave oven.

Each winner will receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and will receive a six month community membership to Launchpad, the Greater Williamsburg Business Incubator. The virtual pitch competition included 10 participants, who had participated in previous events in September and October. The seven other participants will receive a small cash prize for their efforts. All contestants will continue to have access to and gain guidance from local economic development departments.

Pitches were five minutes with a three minute question-and-answer session with the judges. The final event included a keynote from Safety Nailer, who participated in Start Peninsula 2018 and was featured on Shark Tank earlier this year.

Judges included:

  • Carlton Campbell, Anthem, Inc. and the City of Hampton Economic Development Authority
  • Daniel Clark, 757 Angels
  • Ian Frazier, 757 Accelerate
  • Rachel Frazier, William & Mary
  • William Turner, Wells Fargo and the James City County Economic Development Authority

Start Peninsula builds entrepreneurship on the Peninsula and celebrates our local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The event helps develop early stage businesses – those with a product or service that is still being brought to fruition and connects those entrepreneurs with opportunities to validate their business ideas and earn capital. The event is backed by six regional Economic Development Authorities, who are eager to support entrepreneurship. Start Peninsula began in 2012.

Start Peninsula 2020 was hosted by the Greater Williamsburg area including James City County, the City of Williamsburg and York County, in partnership with the Cities of Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or the FAQ page.

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Second Set of Finalists from Start Peninsula Micro Pitch Announced

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Laura Messer
Oct. 16, 2020 757-253-6607; laura.messer@jamescitycountyva.gov

Last night, the second set of finalists for the 2020 Start Peninsula were announced following an online micro pitch competition. The finalists are 13b Bakery & Bistro, Opready, Stasis, Universal Cure: The Stress Reduction Program and Wave Coffee Brewer.

• 13B Bakery & Bistro is a new mobile bakery and bistro.
• Opready is cybersecurity compliance software for small and mid-sized businesses.
• Stasis is a web platform that provides daily breathing exercises to lower stress and anxiety to patients recovering from COVID-19.
• Universal Cure: The Stress Reduction Program is an evidence-based online course to teach nurses how to reduce their stress and learn coping skills.
• Wave Coffee Brewer is a coffee brewing system that works for K-Cups in a microwave oven.

Finalists will receive a cash prize and are allowed to participate in the Wednesday, Nov. 4 main pitch event where they will have a chance to win $5,000 to support their business growth and they will also have free access to local resources. If a finalist is a winner on Nov. 4, they will forgo their cash prize.

The final Start Peninsula event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Everyone is invited to participate as an observer. You may register online. There will be a final workshop on how to perfect your pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 5:30 p.m.

Judges included:
• Rachel Frazier, William & Mary
• Jeff Johnson, Tech Center Research Park
• Gary Behm, Local Angel Investor

Start Peninsula builds entrepreneurship on the Peninsula and celebrates our local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event helps develop early stage businesses – those with a product or service that is still being brought to fruition and connects those entrepreneurs with opportunities to validate their business ideas and earn capital. Dozens of entrepreneurs connect with business leaders and mentors during Start Peninsula. The event is backed by six regional Economic Development Authorities, who are eager to support entrepreneurship.

Start Peninsula 2020 is hosted by the Greater Williamsburg area including James City County, the City of Williamsburg and York County, in partnership with the Cities of Hampton, Newport News and Poquoson. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or the FAQ page.

First Set of Finalists from Start Peninsula Micro Pitch Announced

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Media Contact: Laura Messer

Sept. 23, 2020                                                 757-253-6607; laura.messer@jamescitycountyva.gov

 

Last night, the first set of finalists for the 2020 Start Peninsula were announced following an online micropitch competition. The finalists are 4.0 Inventions, Hottrok and AGENZ by TAO Agency. Barre by the Bay Round 2 was designated as an alternate.

  • 4.0 Inventions has an intellectual patent for a new technology concept: the two-sided smartphone.
  • AGENZ by TAO Agency is a talent acquisition platform that will allow individuals to find the best career opportunity for their skills.
  • Hottrok is a performance-based tiling substrate that serves as a radiant heat carrier. It is the only substrate on the market that readily accepts warm wire and has both thermal and acoustic insulating properties.
  • Alternate: Barre by the Bay Round 2 will be a fully infrared spin and fitness studio with spin, barre, yoga, high-intensity interval training and boxing.

Each finalist will receive a $500 prize and allowed to participate in the Wednesday, Nov. 4 main pitch event where they will have a chance to win $5,000 to support their business growth and they will also have free access to local resources. If a finalist is a winner on Nov. 4, they will forgo their $500 prize. Alternates will receive a $200 prize.

The next Start Peninsula micropitch competition will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Early stage businesses are invited to apply to participate. There will be a workshop on how to perfect your pitch on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.

Judges included:

  • Rachel Frazier, William & Mary
  • Jeff Johnson, Tech Center Research Park
  • Blake Luse, Ferguson Ventures

Start Peninsula builds entrepreneurship on the Peninsula and celebrates our local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The event helps develop early stage businesses – those with a product or service that is still being brought to fruition and connects those entrepreneurs with opportunities to validate their business ideas and earn capital. Dozens of entrepreneurs connect with business leaders and mentors during Start Peninsula. The event is backed by six regional Economic Development Authorities, who are eager to support entrepreneurship.

Start Peninsula 2020 is hosted by the James City County, in partnership with the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg and Poquoson, and York County. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or the FAQ page.

Start Peninsula Changes Event Format to Multiple Smaller Competitions

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           Media Contact: Laura Messer

June 23, 2020                                                 757-253-6607; laura.messer@jamescitycountyva.gov

 

Start Peninsula Changes Event Format to Multiple Smaller Competitions

 

Start Peninsula is pleased to announce that it will return for its ninth annual year in 2020. Beginning next month, Start Peninsula will begin a series of three Micro Pitch competitions held on July 14, September 22 and October 13. At each Micro Pitch event, there will be four winners and one alternate winner selected. Each of the Micro Pitch winners will be invited to participate in the Start Peninsula main event on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Williamsburg Regional Library, 515 Scotland Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185. Start Peninsula has been held annually in different Peninsula localities since 2012.

 

Early stage businesses are invited to apply to participate in a Micro Pitch event. The first Micro Pitch will be held virtually. A maximum of 15 pitches will occur at each Micro Pitch event. If a business is invited to participate in a Micro Pitch event, they must pay a fee of $50 before the event. At the main event in November, the top three winners of the twelve pitchers will receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and free access to local resources. The top three winners from each Micro Pitch event will receive $500 to fuel their business at the conclusion of the series of events in November.

 

Start Peninsula builds entrepreneurship on the Peninsula and celebrates our local entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The event helps develop early stage businesses – those with a product or service that is still being brought to fruition and connects those entrepreneurs with opportunities to validate their business ideas and earn capital. Dozens of entrepreneurs connect with business leaders and mentors during Start Peninsula. The event is backed by six regional Economic Development Authorities, who are eager to support entrepreneurship.

 

“James City County has been home to entrepreneurship since 1607. We are excited about the new format for Start Peninsula because it allows more early stage businesses to participate in Micro Pitch events. We look forward to hearing the 12 qualified early stage business pitches in November,” said Christopher Johnson, Director of Economic Development for James City County.

In 2019, Start Peninsula was hosted by the City of Hampton at Hampton University. The winners included Atlas Quick-Clip, French Slide and Vestalyze. Since 2012, there have been nearly 250 business ideas pitched at this event.

 

Start Peninsula 2020 is hosted by the James City County, in partnership with the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg and Poquoson, and York County. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or the FAQ page.

Instant Teams Announces $1.5M Raise to Scale Remote Work Platform, Bring Thousands of Certified Remote Military Spouses into the Workforce

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11, 2020

HONOLULU, HI, YORKTOWN, VA, & BALTIMORE, MD — Instant Teams, a remote workforce supplier and management platform, announced today a $1.5M round of financing led by Squadra Ventures. The investment will be used to fund the continued expansion of the Instant Teams supplied remote team members in corporate customer success, marketing, technology, and administrative functions and for further development of its proprietary remote workforce management platform.

“With the ability to rapidly spin up teams of pre-vetted, skilled professionals on-demand and integrate them into a customer team, Instant Teams has raised the bar for what executives should expect from their outsourced solutions,” said Guy Filippelli, Squadra Ventures managing partner. “What Liza and Erica have accomplished over the last three years has radically changed the access to and availability of professional opportunities for the 24% of active-duty military spouses who are unemployed. This is the kind of impact that changes lives, and we are all in.”

CEO Liza Rodewald and COO Erica McMannes met in 2014 while stationed in Virginia. As military spouses and entrepreneurs they saw the potential value of the under-utilized and underemployed community around them. They knew spouses were waiting to be activated. With over 125% year over year growth since 2017, Instant Teams is set to transform how business leaders find and manage remote talent.

“Last year our remote team members contributed 40,000 hours of work to over 40 customers. We worked with massive corporations needing heightened support on two week timelines to medium-sized businesses needing ongoing customer success resources,” said Rodewald. “Today we have 8000 Instant Teams certified remote team members ready for roles. For us, that’s what’s driving the future of work.”

Instant Teams’ remote workforce management platform Arti enables hiring managers and executives to define required talent needs and timelines and matches pre-qualified, native english speaking team members to the project. With Arti, Instant Teams works with companies to efficiently define their hiring requirements, instantly source top candidates from a unique military-connected workforce, quickly and easily onboard, manage, and retain flexible teams.

Along with market expansion and product development, Instant Teams will use the investment to bring their technology team in-house, add new executive leadership, and scale their sales outreach process. Squadra Ventures’ Filippelli will join the Instant Teams board.

 

Instant Teams’ CEO, Liza Rodewald, at this January’s East Meets West conference, joined onstage by Moment Ventures’ Clint Chao, Y Combinator’s Kyle Corbitt and AltspaceVR founder Gavan Wilhite.

 

Instant Teams’ CEO, Liza Rodewald, and COO, Erica McMannes.

 

About Instant Teams

Press Contact: Erica McMannes, COO — erica@instantteams.com

Instant Teams utilizes Arti, a proprietary remote team software, to build and manage teams of highly-skilled military spouses, a previously untapped resource. Instant Teams works with companies in diverse sectors such as cybersecurity, healthcare, and travel to efficiently source, hire, onboard, manage, and retain a strong workforce, providing flexibility and opportunity for both customers and team members.

 

About Squadra Ventures

Press Contact: Margaret Roth, Director of Portfolio Operations — margaret@squadra.vc

Squadra Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm led by founder-operators that invests in industry-agnostic enterprise software companies located in the Mid-Atlantic and emerging technology hubs. By applying significant resources beyond the check, we are building a growth engine for early stage startups, working hand-in-hand with our entrepreneurs to help our portfolio companies win and leave a lasting positive impact on the world.

Entrepreneurs get boost at annual Peninsula startup event

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From INSIDE BUSINESS by

Neil Hailey with French Slide gets his prize packet from Start Peninsula emcee Chris Davidson as another winner, John Coggins with Atlas Quick-Clip, looks on at Hampton University Nov. 3.
Neil Hailey with French Slide gets his prize packet from Start Peninsula emcee Chris Davidson as another winner, John Coggins with Atlas Quick-Clip, looks on at Hampton University Nov. 3.

The eighth annual Start Peninsula contest during the first weekend of November attracted some of the strongest pitches for early-stage business concepts yet, regular emcee Chris Davidson said.

This year’s three winners are:

• Atlas Quick-Clip: an attachment that makes it easier and faster to reload ammunition into the magazine of a firearm,

• French Slide: a patio door that both slides left and right and also opens like a French door for a wide entryway and

• Vestalyze: an investment tracking and analytics software company and platform that allows individual investors to optimize their portfolio.

The winners will receive $5,000 each and will have access to business-growing resources, including memberships to local chambers of commerce and the Retail Alliance, Davidson said.

Nearly 30 entrepreneurs initially pitched Nov. 1 at the McGrew Towers Conference Center at Hampton University. Judges selected 10 businesses to refine their concepts with mentors for the final pitches Nov. 3.

John Coggins pitched the Atlas Quick-Clip, which he said he designed with a patent pending. The 18-year-old Carrollton native is studying mechanical engineering at Liberty University and said business is his passion.

He said he hopes to eventually expand into creating other products and would like to supply the military and law enforcement. As a college freshman, the prize money will definitely help in developing the business, he said. Winning the contest also gave him validation.

“It makes me feel like I’m on the right path,” Coggins said.

Neil Hailey co-founded French Slide with friend Matthew Sozio while both were attending Virginia Commonwealth University. Hailey said they were trying to move a large sectional couch through a sliding glass door and thought there should be a better way. Their idea was to combine the benefits of a sliding glass door and a French door.

The French Slide maximizes space efficiency when opening doors, he said. The business concept is 3 years old and Hailey came down from Richmond to pitch it.

“We’re definitely in a position where we can use the money and put it to good use,” Hailey said.

Tyler Chianelli started Vestalyze because he wants to enable smaller businesses or individuals with more moderate income to access sophisticated reporting, metrics and tracking analysis on their investment portfolios, including with complicated index and equity derivatives, also known as options. Some service providers give detailed derivatives tracking, but the cost is often a barrier, he said.

Tyler Chianelli
Tyler Chianelli

Now with a team of five, the software platform has been in development for a year based on Chianelli’s 17 years of experience as a stock and options trader with a specialty in index and equities derivatives strategies. The founder of Uptrend Capital in Virginia Beach is also incorporating feedback from his time as a financial educator.

Chianelli said he pitched at Start Peninsula last year, but wasn’t one of the 10 selected finalists. Yet, he didn’t quit and refined his pitch. He came to network with other entrepreneurs and investors and to get the word out about his startup.

“I’m pretty much all in,” he said. “I know what’s possible.”

Start Peninsula will take place in the greater Williamsburg area next year. For more info, visit Startpeninsula.com. The College of William & Mary will be a partner, said Jim Noel, York economic development director.

Tara Bozick, 757-247-4741, tbozick@insidebiz.com

John Coggins, left, with Atlas Quick-Clip, Neil Hailey with French Slide and Tyler Chianelli with Vestalyze were the three Start Peninsula winners Nov. 3 at Hampton University. - Original Credit: Tara Bozick/Staff - Original Source: Handout
John Coggins, left, with Atlas Quick-Clip, Neil Hailey with French Slide and Tyler Chianelli with Vestalyze were the three Start Peninsula winners Nov. 3 at Hampton University. – Original Credit: Tara Bozick/Staff – Original Source: Handout (HANDOUT)
Start Peninsula 2019 Winners

Winners Announced for Start Peninsula

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Media Contact: Dan Girouard

Nov. 4, 2019                                                    757-727-6237; dgirouard@hampton.gov

 

Winners Announced for Start Peninsula

 

Following another unforgettable weekend of entrepreneurship, networking and strategizing, Start Peninsula is pleased to announce its three winners for 2019:

  • Atlas Quick-Clip – An attachment for the magazine of a firearm that relieves the spring tension making it easier to reload ammunition into a magazine
  • French Slide – The patio door reinvented to encompass both sliding and hinged door features
  • Vestalyze – An investment tracking and analytics software company that allows individual investors to optimize their portfolio

 

Each winner will receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and will also have free access to local resources including memberships to local chambers of commerce.

 

The pitch competition began on Friday, Nov. 1 with 30 pitches and a keynote by

Warren Haber Jr. Haber has been a venture capitalist and angel investor for over 20 years and he has specialized in software and internet ventures. Following a 90-second pitch, 10 early stage businesses were selected to work on their business during the event. Throughout the weekend, participants worked with Haber to refine their businesses. On Sunday, winners were selected after completing a five-minute pitch presentation and five minute question-and-answer session with the judges.

 

Judges included:

  • Gary Hunter, Director of Development, Hampton University
  • Blake Luse, Director of Ferguson Ventures
  • Ronda Markus, President of Lee Telecom, Inc.
  • Marco Rubin, Senior Investment Director of CIT
  • Evans McMillion, Executive Director of 757 Accelerate.

 

Start Peninsula was hosted by the City of Hampton and held at the McGrew Towers Conference Center, 24 Indian Road, located on the Hampton University campus. The weekend-long event stimulated entrepreneurial growth in the local community by connecting early stage businesses to validation, opportunities and resources. Thirty entrepreneurs connected with business leaders and mentors during this exciting event. Start Peninsula is held annually in different Peninsula localities. Start Peninsula began in 2012.

 

Next year’s event will be hosted in the Greater Williamsburg region. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or their FAQ page.

Download a PDF of this news post.

Start Peninsula 2019

Venture Capitalist and Angel Investor Warren Haber Jr. Announced as Keynote Speaker for Start Peninsula

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sep. 27, 2019

Start Peninsula is pleased to announce that Warren Haber Jr. will be the opening keynote speaker for Friday night’s event. Haber has been a venture capitalist and angel investor for over 20 years and he has specialized in software and internet ventures. Haber currently works for Exoventure (Exo).  Exo has partnered with thousands of early stage tech entrepreneurs to build innovative global companies. Haber has worked for Crossbar Capital, Mellon Ventures, Grand Central Holdings and GE Equity. He received his MBA from the Wharton School of Business and his BA from Brown University and is based in New York, NY.

Start Peninsula is fortunate to have Haber participate the entire weekend beginning on Friday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 3.  Attendees and participants will be able to interact with him all weekend and hear about his experiences as a venture capitalist and angel investor. He will provide comments and feedback to select companies.

On Sunday, the keynote speaker will be Erica McMannes, the cofounder/COO of Instant Teams. Instant Teams (previously known as MadSkills) was a Start Peninsula winner in 2017. McMannes worked as a founding member of two Silicon Valley startups and now helps create and manage remote teams for companies across the nation through workforce solutions.

Tickets to attend Start Peninsula are now on sale. General admission is $30 through Tuesday, Oct. 15. Price increases by $5.

Early stage businesses are invited to apply to pitch at Start Peninsula.  The application fee is $75 before Oct. 1 and $100 after. Thirty businesses will be invited to pitch on Friday, Nov. 1 and three winners will be selected on Sunday, Nov. 3. All three winners will receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and will have access to local resources.

Start Peninsula 2019, is being held at Hampton University and is hosted by the City of Hampton, in partnership with the Cities of Newport News, Williamsburg and Poquoson, and the Counties of James City & York. To learn more about Start Peninsula, please visit its website, Facebook page or the FAQ page.

Media Contact:
Dan Girouard
757-727-6237; dgirouard@hampton.gov

Download a PDF of this news post.

Start Peninsula 2019

Pitch Perfect Events Return in Preparation for Start Peninsula

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sep. 19, 2019

Start Peninsula is pleased to announce that Pitch Perfect events will return in preparation for the November event. Pitch Perfect events provide training on how to effectively pitch your idea in 90 seconds while including the necessary elements and delivering your pitch with confidence. Each Pitch Perfect event is presented by Tim Ryan, president of Arcphor and Gary Plaag, communications expert from Couragio Consulting.

Pitch Perfect costs $10 and those interested can sign up online. If you are already signed up to pitch at Start Peninsula, Pitch Perfect workshops are free! View the flyer online.

Dates and locations are as follows:

  • Sept 19: Piggly Wiggly Community Room, 3101 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607
  • Sept 26: Launchpad, the Greater Williamsburg Business Incubator, 4345 New Town Avenue, Suite 200, Williamsburg, VA 23188
  • Oct 3: York County Chamber of Commerce, 4102 George Washington Memorial Highway, #101, Yorktown, VA 23692
  • Oct 8: Ferguson Heritage Center, 618 Bland Boulevard, Newport News, VA 23602
  • Oct 16: Launchpad, the Greater Williamsburg Business Incubator
  • Oct 23: Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick BoulevardNewport News, VA 23608
  • Oct 25: Dress rehearsal event, location to be decided

Early stage businesses are invited to apply to pitch at Start Peninsula. Thirty businesses will be invited to pitch on Friday, Nov. 1 and three winners will be selected on Sunday, Nov. 3. Each of the three winners will receive $5,000 to fuel their business growth and free access to local resources.

Start Peninsula 2019 is hosted by the City of Hampton, in partnership with the Cities of Newport News, Williamsburg and Poquoson, and the Counties of James City & York. For more information about Start Peninsula please visit its website, Facebook page or their FAQ page.

Media Contact:
Dan Girouard
757-727-6237; dgirouard@hampton.gov

Download a PDF of this news post.