All Ideas Pitch Contest Recap

The Bicknell Clock at LHSP Visitor Center

Thursday night's Merrimack Valley Sandbox All Ideas Pitch Contest featured a beautiful setting and inspiring entrepreneurs.  The Lawrence Heritage State Park visitor center is in a great spot near the north canal  and given the current situation in Washington we were very glad to be in a state park and not a national park. BTW, if you are in the Lawrence area, visit the visitor center. You will be surprised at the great stuff they have there. I'm sooooo looking forward to the Fasanella's Lawrence exhibit opening October 12.

All Ideas Pitch Contest This Way!

The event  started with a diverse crowd checking out the display tables showcasing all kinds of business and non-profit ideas from local entrepreneurs. Lots of exchanging of ideas, advice, and offers of help along with the munching of chocolate chip cookies provided by Deb Gurry of Clock Tower Cafe, one of the judges, filled the room with palpable energy.

The Crowd Begins To Assemble -- Nice To See Kids

It was great to see so many kids. The age range of the audiences (and the entrepreneurs) at these Sandbox events always amazes me.  Many of Thursday's attendees were at their first Sandbox event. Organizers had to scramble to find more chairs for all the folks who turned out to support their favorite entrepreneurs.

I chatted with Christina Hamilton of  Delightful Surprise Sweets and sampled some delicious fudge in several flavors. Loved the chocolate pretzel mint flavor. I remembered Christina from a previous event and was happy to see that she was one of the chosen presenters. Christina's sweet treats are delicious and customized and her business provides opportunity for people with disabilities. Christina was inspired to create her business out of her own experience as a disabled person.  Her personal story and the delicious fudge she handed out to the judges made for a great presentation.

Christina with Delightful Surprise Sweets

Orlando Torres pitched his The Best Part of Planet Earth school gardening program. Talking with Orlando about organic raised bed gardening and nutrition for urban kids was a true joy. It has always bothered me that good, healthy vegetables are so expensive and so hard to come by in cities. It's inspiring to talk to a teacher who cares so much about his students, the community they live in, and the beautiful planet we all share.

Orlando with His School-Grown Veggies

Hector Arce and Brian Mohika  presented Drainage Partner,  a concealed and comfortable reusable undergarment for patients who need to use catheters that deposit bodily fluids into a drainage bag. Their design is so clever and thoughtful that patients can even wear shorts, something impossible with current solutions.  They already have patented the technology. They were the runaway fan favorite and the first prize winners.

Drainage Partner

Lianna Presenting Giant Check to Brian and Hector for Drainage Partner

The Crowd Gave Drainage Partner A Huge Ovation

By far the most emotional pitch was from Catie's Closet. Mickey Cockrell described the non-profit, which provides clothing to homeless and poverty-stricken students to help them stay in school.  That's a real need in these times. She teared up as she talked about Catie,w ho inspired the project. Catie was a student at Lowell High School, who always donated whatever she had to those in need. As the saying goes, she would give away the clothes off her back to help others. Catie passed away in 2010. The audience began to tear up too as Mickey spoke.

Lining Up The Catie's Closet Team for the Photo with the Giant Check

The youngest entrepreneur ever to pitch at a Sandbox event, 14 year old Sahil Belgaonkar, impressed the audience with his poise and the app he pitched. Chum helps users find pets in any shelter in the U.S. I met Sahil at the Sandbox Summit this summer and was highly impressed with both his technical skills and his commitment to saving animals from being euthanized at shelters. It was a thrill to see him present and to be part of the loud ovation he got.

Sahil (Right) Networking with another Entrepreneur

Patrick Houwer and  Joshua Goldberg pitched  BeeInPlay, a website that allows you to view availabilities and book sports fields, courts, rinks, classes, and activities in real-time. In these days when a pickup hockey game on the Charles River (like we had in my childhood) is quaint anachronism, it's a good thing to harness the power of the web to get people together to play.
 
Alexander Ryu pitched Lifeguard Games, virtual pet apps to help kids learn to manage health conditions such as asthma and food allergies. Here's another instance of using technology to make a real difference in real people's lives.

The Crowd Networking While The Judges Were Out Deliberating

Crowd Listening To The Pitches

It was great to see James Ostis, one of the stalwarts of the Lowell creative economy, at the event and it was even better that he got to do the wildcard pitch, so I'll close with a creative watercolor rendition of James giving his pitch.

James Pitching

#MIN54 at Workbar

Workbar's New Central Square Digs This Way

Any excuse to go to Central Square is a good one in my book. The tech pundits are finally discovering what many of us have known for decades -- Central Square has always been cooler than those other squares in Cambridge :-) even that one closer to the Institute At The Center Of The Universe :-) So having #MIN54 as a reason to hang out in Central Square and to check out Workbar's new digs on Prospect Street was a great opportunity.

Urban Landscape Viewed From Workbar 5th Floor

The products on display were a nice mix of techie, foodie, and other cool stuff. My absolute favorite was the Bradley tactile timepiece from eone. Not only do you see what time it is, but you also feel what time it is. This is a great example of universal design. Sure it's a watch for blind people, but it is also appealing to sighted people and it doesn't make the blind wearer look clunky and unstylish. When I told my partner, who is blind, about it, she was very excited. Feeling where the ball bearing is works way better than talking watches.

Demoing the Bradley Watch

Hey, anything involving collaboration between engineers from the Institute At The Center Of The Universe and designers from RISD has got to be good, right? Two thumbs up for eone!

Presenting the Bradley Watch

On the decidedly non-techie side, I enjoyed the scents of Amber Blue and Prosperity Candle. Amber Blue makes small batches of  natural, organic, luxury, herb-based skincare products. I ran into MIN regular Eric Andersen at the Amber Blue table checking out the wonderful-smelling products.

Eric Checking Out Amber Blue Skin Care Products

Prosperity Candle had a huge variety of scents to sniff. My fave was magnolia. Using custom candles to promote your brand at corporate events is definitely different from the usual pens, notepads, and tote bags.

Prosperity Candles

Another product that impressed me was AxVault, a community centered around musical instruments, an e-commerce store, and a media outlet all in one -- social instrument shopping. If I were a musician, I'd join.

Presenting AxVault

It was great to see Halley Tucker with the proof copy of Founders Less Than Three hot off the press. I remembered speaking with her at a MIN crowdfunding event about her Kickstarter experience. I've already downloaded the book onto my Kindle and started reading it. Already enjoying founders meeting cute. Congrats to Halley!

The Proof Copy Hot Off The Press!

Speaking of matchmaking for founders, the two Jeremy's presented an exciting mobile app, Prime$take, for connecting startups with investors and mentors who have compatible business needs, locations, and personality traits. Hmm, they might enjoy reading Founders Less Than Three :-)

Guys Named Jeremy

Another hit presentation was the folks from Endorfyn. Endorfyn finds what's new from all your favorite artists: music, movies, TV shows, videos, books, and what have you,  and lets you know when they're available to buy, rent, or stream on whatever platform. No more wondering when Brenda Wineapple's latest book is available on Audible or Rodrigo y Gabriela's latest music is on iTunes. Endorfyn will let me know as soon as it happens. Also, the Endorfyn team had matching T-shirts, so they win Best Costume of #MIN54.

Best Costume!

Absolutely the best thing about #MIN54, though, was dumplings! Guo tie -- one of the few Chinese words I remember. Patty Chen's Dumpling Room is opening soon in Central Square and after tasting these, I can't wait! I'm told Central Square is about to become the center of the dumpling universe.

And They Had Boba Tea Too!

The surprise pitch of the night was from Chef Nookie of Commonwealth, a new restaurant coming to Kendall Square. Gotta love the real-time Twitter feed at MIN!

Chef Nookie's Tweet Got Him Invited To Pitch His Kickstarter Campaign

I'm happy to report that Chef Nookie made his goal with 13 days to go! Farm-to-table meals AND George Howell coffee, how much more could Kendall Square want?!?

For the traditional "Expert Looking Expert" photo, we have MIN regular Nate Therrien looking especially expert as he is wearing a tie.

Expert Looking Expert

Foodies Descend on Trade Center 128

Trade Center 128 welcomed #MINFoodie5 big time last night. Big sign, big space, big welcome.

Awesome Visibility On 128!

Crowd of Foodies

So many great products, where do I start? The four presenters chosen by popular vote were Dancing Deer, Graba-bite, Foodie Journey and Salsa Mayoral. As usual, I tried to check them out before the presentations.

Caramel Sea Salt
Squares

Dancing Deer had samples of their delicious brownies and  caramel sea salt squares. After my first bite of the sea salt caramel square I commenced telling everybody I met to try it. Their new From Our House to Your House Gift Medley is a mix of treats packaged in a cute house-shaped box, and, yes, it includes 4 caramel sea salt squares. It's the perfect housewarming gift.

Julie from Dancing Deer Talking about the
"From Our House to Your House Gift Medley"

My absolute favorite of the night was the unique black salsa from Villa Mexico Cafe. I have never tasted better salsa anywhere!  It's a family recipe bearing the family name: Salsa Mayoral.  You can order it online and they ship nationwide.  They got my vote for the American Airlines Business Extra points. They got lots of other folks' votes too. They won first prize.

Bessie of Villa Mexico Cafe with Salsa and Virgin of Guadalupe

Foodie Journey is your personal food concierge service. When you're traveling and you have no idea where to eat, and crowd-sourced apps and guidebooks (yes, according to Foodie Journey, people still read guidebooks) don't cut it, they give you recommendations of the best meal for you. That's right, not "the best meal" but the best meal for you.

Foodie Journey Banner

I somehow missed photographing Grab a Bite, the  online service that helps you discover new, local, great restaurants. They have a website and an app and the service is free to the restaurant and the customer.

Beautifully Bottled Real Honest Tea

My second favorite taste of the night, after the unique black salsa, was the white tea with apricot and jasmine from  Tea Cuvee. Imagine a glamorous bottled cold brewed tea! This is cold tea that tastes like tea, not like weird artificial flavors and sweeteners. There are no sweeteners and no weird additives. It's just real tea, brewed in Boston. This is more like a fine wine to serve with dinner than an "ice tea" you grab at a convenience store. Like!

Tea Cuvee

Salt Traders had a whole array of their gourmet salts and sugars available for tasting. I tasted all of the salts and one of the sugars. They have amazing smoked salts, smoked the traditional Viking way. In addition to the Maine smoked salt, I very much liked the sagemary salt and the porcini salt.

Awesome Smoked Salt

Local and global meet at Mass Innovation Nights all the time, and #MINFoodie5 was no exception. Dining experience innovators ranged from  Kitchensurfing , which connects local chefs to folks who want a  unique and intimate dining experience at home or your chosen local venue, to  Taste Trekkers, food tourism specialists who offer vacation planning for foodies, those folks who plan their vacations around food and foodie events.

Plan Your Foodie Vacation Now!

The Crowd Enjoying The Foodie Innovations

The crowd had plenty to see and taste before and after the presentations. There was olive oil from Sicily, innovative chocolate packaging, energy shots, an innovative wine and beer delivery app, and a new insert that turns a canning jar into a bento-box style lunch box.

Olive Oil from Olio Taibi

Pour-N-Pack Handing Out Chocolate

Drizly

AeroShot

Lunches in Canning Jars from Cuppow

Merrimack Valley Sandbox Social Impact Pitch Contest

Last night eight entrepreneurs pitched their social impact ideas for big cash prizes in front of the judges and the audience  at the Merrimack Valley Sandbox  in Lowell.  This was my first visit to the Sandbox's new space on the 6th floor of the Lowell Community Health Center. What a great space!

See those cool windows on the top floor? That's the place.

The crowd, about 70 or more, was very enthusiastic.

Crowd Checking Out The Tables And Networking

For a second, I thought I'd stumbled into #MINFoodie5 a day early, because the first entrepreneur I talked to was Christina Hamilton of Delightful Surprise Sweets.  Not only are the sweet treats delicious and customized, but the business provides opportunity for people with developmental disabilities.
 

Delightful Surprises

As I do at Mass Innovation Nights, I tried to check out all the projects/products before the pitches.  I talked to so many amazing people, that my head is still buzzing the next day. And I took so many photos, I should probably do a photo album in addition to a blog entry.

For me, the most amazing thing was the diversity of the ideas. Professional development for nannies, textile recycling, drumming circles for nursing homes, anti-bullying programs, and so much more.

Soon enough , it was time for the pitch contest. The judges for the competition were:

• Susan Musinsky - Root Cause
• Dr. Kumble Rajesh - Lowell Community Health Center
• Lydia Sisson - Mill City Grows
• Sophy Theam - Enterprise Bank/ The Parker Foundation

I learned more about the professional life of nannies from Helen Adeosun's pitch than I ever knew before. SitterCycle is an online learning platform that delivers professional development for nannies so they can give better care and improve their wage and occupational outcomes. SitterCycle won third prize with an truly excellent pitch.

Helen Adeosun -- SitterCycle

Angie Estevez's pitch for  Casa Shalom took me back to my roots in social activism, thinking of all the amazing stuff my mother has accomplished in feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable coming out of a faith-based tradition long before tools and resources like Casa Shalom.

Angie Estevez - Casa Shalom

Monique Morimoto, Stephen Whitney, and Cornell Coley  are the first presenters I ever heard with an accompanying beat. They took turns describing  their Visionary Drumming project to provide group drumming classes to promote healing, empowerment and community building in places like nursing homes. While one spoke, the other two kept up the beat with shakers. Very cool.  They won second prize and I almost voted for them for fan favorite.

Visionary Drumming Keeping Up the Beat

Joy Mosenfelder of the Merrimack Valley Time Exchange has really polished up her pitch since I spoke with her at the Sandbox Summit in June.  It's such a great idea. Basically members earn and spend time based on their time spent providing and receiving services. Members  exchange services, skills, and resources, all without money. An hour is an hour, regardless of what kind of service. It's a great community building project. This got my vote for the fan favorite.

Merrimack Valley Time Exchange -- Joy Mosenfelder

I enjoyed talking with Carolyn Ruf about Be a Buddy Not a Bully,  an initiative aimed at making schools safer by empowering students with a fun and engaging anti-bullying curriculum. I'd like to see this as part of every school curriculum.

Be A Buddy Not A Bully -- Carolyn Ruf

Textile recycling seems to be a big theme lately, and it should be. Way too much goes to waste. Lallitara upcycles Indian saris into beautiful clothing. What I loved about Bijal Shah's pitch is the global reach, bringing together the informal textile recyclers in India and manufacturing jobs in Lawrence. She won first prize AND the fan favorite voting. Well-deserved.

Bijal Shah of lallitara Talking Textile Recycling with Raj Meiville

Bijal Shah Making Her Winning Pitch -- Wearing A Top Made From Upcycled Saris

It took me awhile to remember where I'd heard Reem Yared's pitch before. It was back at the epic #MIN48 in March! Remember  your early entrepreneurship experience mowing neighbors' lawns and shoveling their driveways? Help Around Town is a modern spin on that idea: an online platform creating local jobs by connecting people needing help with people needing work. Still an awesome idea.

Judges Listening to Reem Yared of Help Around Town

Wild card presenter Jessica Marchand pitched AddressSlavery, a project that takes donations of  high-quality upscale clothing and accessories and then sells them to use the proceeds for  projects seeking to prevent modern slavery.

Jessica Listening to the Judge's Question

So many great ideas, so much energy and enthusiasm for solving real problems creatively, so many great people... what a great night in a beautiful city!

Great Night - Beautiful City