Thursday, October 19, 2017

Recap -- EforAll Lowell Lawrence All Ideas Pitch Contest

Last week's EforAll All Ideas Pitch Contest (Thursday, October 12) was a collaboration between EforAll Lowell Lawrence and CMAA held at Glory Buddhist Temple in Lowell. It was a unique event as it was EforAll's  first ever outdoor pitch contest and first ever pitch contest at a temple. The number of entrepreneurs showcasing their ventures at tables was small, so there was no "table favorite" voting this time. Everyone got to pitch. And, as advertised, it really was all ideas. The variety of ideas was impressive.
Sovanna Pouv Welcoming Us on Behalf of CMAA
Cool autumn weather suddenly arrived in Lowell, but that wasn't going to stop either the participants or the audience.  A large group of students from Middlesex Community College was in attendance, making for an attentive and engaged crowd.
EforAll's Joey Banh Explaining the Rules for the Pitch Contest
From the first presenter to the last, the pitches were interesting and worth hearing.
Jewell by BC
Jewell by BC aims to reduce textile waste and keep customers looking good for events and occasions with a boutique that will buy, exchange, and rent high end cocktail dresses, evening gowns, Khmer traditional dresses and accessories. Instead of buying a fancy outfit for one-time use and then stuffing it in a closet or throwing it away, Jewell by BC offers customers a buy, sell, rent approach. The audience loved this idea and Jewell by  BC won the fan favorite voting.
Reduce Textile Waste
Lowell Organics pitched an indoor vertical farm growing organic lettuce, basil, and microgreens in unused industrial space in Lowell. This reminded me of Lowell Lettuce, which started last year and uses the Freight Farms system. Hydroponic urban farming is the in thing lately, so I expect to see more of these types of pitches.
Lowell Organics
Nom Nom Banchok pitched serving a traditional Cambodian noodle dish, Nom Banchok, at farmer's markets, bringing together the current "eat local" movement and a dish with a long history.  The noodles are traditionally served in a green curry fish soup with seasonal greens, sprouts, and blossoms. Founder Eden Chorm mentioned that she had not encountered this dish at any of the Khmer restaurants in Lowell. It sounded tasty, and many of us were curious about it. I think if she'd had some soup with her, we all would have tried it -- especially as the night got colder -- but alas she didn't have samples.
Nom Nom Banchok Answering Judge's Questions
Homegrown Tours pitched Wheelchair Accessible Tours of Martha's Vineyard as an addition to her established tour business. Her approach made lots of sense and her business plan was clearly well-thought-through. I was not at all surprised when Wheelchair Accessible Tours won first prize.
Homegrown Tours -- Wheelchair Accessible Tours
My absolute favorite idea was Mobile Entertainment Theater's plan to convert a box truck into a mobile stage that would bring theater and cultural events to places that don't have brick and mortar theaters of their own. It would host a traveling theater company and also be available for rental to other performing artists.The plan seemed complete and well thought out, and the idea just seemed flat out cool. MET got my vote for fan favorite. I guess the judges liked it too, because it won second prize.
Mobile Entertainment Theater
Kenko Protein Bars identified a need for protein bars that are nut-free and egg-free. For people with nut allergies it can be hard to find a protein-filled snack to fuel up for that after school soccer game. Most protein bars on the market today either contain nuts or are made on equipment that comes in contact with nuts.
Kenko Protein Bars
Each bar contains 18 grams of protein and has no added sugar or preservatives. Sounds like a good idea.
Kenko Protein Bars
REALToDo  is a customer relationship management (CRM) software-as-a-service tool for real estate agents.  It's an easy-to-use, cloud-based CRM system that helps agents keep track of their properties, clients, and schedules. A simple tool for real estate pros seems particularly timely given today's real estate market.  Third prize was well-deserved.
REALToDo
One last pitch that impressed me was Second Chance USA. They had already won previously so weren't eligible for prizes, but got to pitch because there was room on the schedule. Second Chance USA trains the incarcerated for middle skilled job openings and partners with companies that need those skills to guarantee employment for people once they are released. Talk about addressing two problems at once!
Second Chance Mission Statement
Making the Case for Second Chance
The winners and the judges posed for photos with the giant checks and most people took off for warmer quarters as it had gotten really most sincerely cold. Quite a night.
First Prize Winner Wheelchair Accessible Tours

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