Fall 2020 Startup Challenge Idea Accelerator Winners Announced

Harrisburg LaunchBox is pleased to announce the winners of the Startup Challenge virtual accelerator final pitch competition on November 14, 2020.  The final pitch competition concluded the week-long virtual business idea accelerator, in which a select group of 8 participants received coaching and support to transform early-stage business ideas into business model drafts and elevator pitches.  Program applicants included community, students and professionals with early-stage business ideas.

Startup Challenge was created in collaboration with Abington LaunchBox powered by Penn State, Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State Corner LaunchBox, Great Valley LaunchBox powered by Penn State, Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, and Invent Penn State.  The program was sponsored by Blue Tree Allied Angels and The Lonely Entrepreneur Learning Community. 

The judges chose the following teams as competition winners:

• 1st place: Tiger Resilience (Bernie Tiger and Valerie Laboranti) – virtual addiction recovery program for those struggling with substance abuse and their families 
• 2nd place: Accountability (Nancy H. Meyers, Esq.) –  organizational and reporting platform for those managing financial and medical care for others
• 3rd place:  SchoolStack (Sarah Schwartz and Hal Schwartz) – virtual learning infrastructure supporting cognitive and socio-emotional growth for Pre-K through 8th grade students

The winning teams’ prizes include in-kind business services and support to help continue development of their business models.

Startup Challenge virtual accelerator will be offered again in the fall of 2021.  Please visit here to learn more.