Highlights from Startup Runway’s 25th Pitch Showcase: Celebrating a Milestone in Atlanta’s Entrepreneurial Scene
Startup Runway’s 25th Pitch Showcase marked a significant milestone, celebrating 25 editions of fostering entrepreneurial success for underrepresented founders. Held at Tech Square ATL last week, the event buzzed with anticipation as top founders from over 400 applicants across the Southeast pitched their groundbreaking ideas, competing for three $10,000 checks.
Visionaries Shine Bright: Announcing the Winners
The stage was set for a day of inspiration as all of the impressive finalists presented their ventures. Amid fierce competition, three visionary founders stood out, each securing $10,000 of non-dilutive capital to propel their businesses forward.
- Andrew Grant, Founder of Makr Papr, captivated the audience to win the Audience Choice Award presented by PIN. Makr Papr is revolutionizing sustainable packaging, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional paper products. Grant’s commitment to environmental sustainability and innovative solutions won the hearts of the audience and secured vital support for his venture.
- Janessa Ferrell, Founder of QuestRead, clinched the Women’s Empowerment Award presented by American Family Insurance. QuestRead is dedicated to improving literacy through interactive reading experiences tailored to children’s interests and learning levels. Ferrell’s mission to empower young readers and her impactful pitch earned her this prestigious recognition.
- Dena Lewis, with her venture RunningMate, secured the Judges Prize presented by Cox. RunningMate offers a comprehensive app for runners, providing personalized training plans, community support, and performance tracking. Lewis’s innovative approach to enhancing the running experience impressed the judges, earning her top honors.
Honoring a Milestone and Recognizing Excellence
In celebrating 25 Startup Runway showcases, we are proud to share some remarkable highlights. Over the years, Startup Runway has encountered and encouraged over 5,500 founders, showcased 206 finalists, and seen our finalists raise a collective $78 million.
Insights from Alumni: Where Are They Now?
At the showcase, we featured a panel of Startup Runway alumni, showcasing their journeys since their participation. This included Damola Ogundipe, founder of Plural from Edition 5 in 2018, and Kristin Dunning, founder of Gently Soap from Edition 19 in 2023. Their stories of growth and success inspired all attendees.
Honoring Veronica Sheehan, Chief Operating Officer at Make-A-Wish Georgia
At the showcase, we also presented the Lighting the Way Award to Veronica Sheehan for her outstanding contributions to Startup Runway and Atlanta’s entrepreneurial community. One of Veronica’s pivotal contributions to Startup Runway was securing our first-ever sponsorship from Cox Enterprises. This sponsorship provided crucial financial support and lent credibility to our mission of fostering inclusive entrepreneurship. Veronica’s ability to navigate corporate landscapes and forge meaningful partnerships has been invaluable to our growth.
Thank You to Our Partners
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our mentors and sponsors, including our newest sponsor, the NCR Foundation, whose support has been instrumental in our success. We also thank our esteemed panel of VC judges, which included A.T. Gimbel, Partner at Atlanta Ventures, William Leonard, Investor at Valor Ventures, Rachel Wilson, Managing Partner at The BFM Fund, and Martin Chaplin, Investor at LearnLaunch Fund. Their expertise and insights were invaluable in guiding and evaluating our finalists.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Startup Runway?
Exciting updates for Startup Runway are on the horizon. Stay tuned for details on how to apply or be a part of Startup Runway’s journey as a founder, sponsor, or mentor. There are countless opportunities to get involved and support our mission of connecting investors to top startups led by underrepresented founders. Thank you to everyone who made the 25th Startup Runway Showcase a resounding success!