Finalists Announced for 21st Startup Runway Savannah Pitch Competition in Partnership with SHE HUSTLES

Leading Savannah-based startup founders will compete for $20K in grants on June 22

Atlanta, GA – June 15, 2023 – The Startup Runway Foundation, in partnership with The Creative Coast and Savannah SCORE’s SHE HUSTLES event, is thrilled to announce the four finalists pitching at the highly-anticipated 21st Startup Runway event on June 22, 2023. This exciting pitch competition, set to take place at The Clyde Venue in Savannah, Georgia, promises to showcase the brightest entrepreneurial talents in the greater Savannah area.

Following a rigorous selection process, these four exceptional startups have been chosen as the finalists who will compete for a total of $20,000 in grant money, including a Judges Choice Award sponsored by Georgia Power and an Audience Choice Award sponsored by Partnership for Inclusive Innovation.

 

Startup Runway, a 501(c)3 non-profit headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is dedicated to bridging the gap between investors and outstanding startups led by underrepresented founders. Known for its pitch showcases held across various cities in Georgia, the foundation offers a pivotal platform for the most promising ventures to thrive. 

“We’re proud to introduce these four exceptional finalists for the upcoming Startup Runway pitch competition,” said Mecca Moore Tartt, Executive Director of Startup Runway Foundation. “Their innovative businesses and inspiring leadership exemplify the extraordinary talent and potential among underrepresented founders within the thriving Savannah ecosystem. We eagerly anticipate their pitches at the upcoming Startup Runway x SHE HUSTLES event.”

SHE HUSTLES is an esteemed women’s leadership and entrepreneurial conference presented tri-annually in Savannah by The Creative Coast in partnership with Savannah SCORE. The event is supported by Wells Fargo and annual Platinum Sponsor, the Savannah Economic Development Authority. The June 22nd event will culminate in SHE HUSTLES’ signature panel discussion as the grand finale of the evening. The panel will feature four local women leading and innovating in their industries:

 

Startup Runway x SHE HUSTLES is made possible by Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Wells Fargo, and Georgia Power. 

The doors will open at 5:30 pm, and attendees will be able to network and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages before the pitch competition begins at 6 pm. Limited tickets are available at www.thecreativecoast.org/shehustles for $30 each. 

To learn more about the upcoming event and the Startup Runway Foundation, visit https://startuprunway.org/. 

About Savannah SCORE

SCORE is the nation’s largest provider of free business mentoring and educational services for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. Savannah SCORE is one of the nation’s top SCORE chapters. In 2019, the chapter was named SCORE’s “Mid-Market Chapter of the Year”. In 2021, the chapter received SCORE’s award as “Outstanding Chapter for Community Partnerships.” In 2020, Savannah was designated as a SCORE Diamond Level Chapter, an honor achieved by less than 10% of SCORE’s 245 chapters across the United States. In 2021, the chapter helped establish 237 new local businesses and 1,100 new local jobs. Learn more at https://savannah.score.org.

About Startup Runway Foundation

Startup Runway Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Our mission is to connect top underrepresented founders with first investors. Backers include Presenting Sponsor Cox Enterprises and Founding Partners Truist, Georgia Power, American Family Institute, Innovator’s Legal, Avanta Ventures, Valor Ventures, Unqork, and the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation. Learn more at https://startuprunway.org/. 

About The Creative Coast

The Creative Coast is a 501(c)3 non-profit supported by the Savannah Economic Development Authority, Georgia Southern University Business Innovation Group, the City of Savannah, and the Advanced Technology Development Center. The Creative Coast is here for the entrepreneurial, technology, & creative community of the Savannah region. We build and support the creative economy in Savannah through education & social programs that connect and foster local innovation in both large and small companies. To learn more, visit www.thecreativecoast.org.