The Venture Center Announces 2019 Pitch 'N Pint Winners
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. December 10, 2019 – MaryJane Eason of MaryJane & Company took home the $5,000 Judges’ Choice prize last night at The Venture Center’s annual Pitch ‘N Pint event. MaryJane & Company touts their mantra of “Where healthy hair & extensions co-exist,” as they help brides, fashion designers, models, stay home moms, other interested customers, and patients undergoing chemotherapy.
“Congratulations to Ms. Eason for delivering a flawless pitch and easily selling the crowd and our judges on her product,” said Wayne Miller, Executive Director of The Venture Center. “We are grateful for every entrepreneur who spent the evening with us, bravely pitching their very worthy ideas. With a crowd of over 150 people, last night’s Pitch ‘N Pint proves that anyone with an idea and the drive to execute that idea has the powerful support of a wonderful community behind them.”
At the event, 15 entrepreneurs delivered their 60-second elevator pitches to investors, judges, and a crowd of 150 enthusiastic start-up folks. A panel of local business leaders selected the winner of the Judges’ Choice Award. Darrin Williams, CEO of Southern Bancorp CEO Darrin Williams, The Venture Center Board Chairman James Hendren, and Arkansas Capital Corporation’s Marie Bruno all volunteered their time and expertise for the event, listening to pitches and asking questions of the business owners. Audience Choice Awards were chosen by the crowd who voted via state-of-the-art, text-your-vote technology.
The full slate of winners are:
• Judges’ Choice Winner: $5,000 Seed Capital: MaryJane Eason, MaryJane & Co
• Audience First Place Winner: $1,000 Seed Capital: Audra McAnally, AM Solution
• Audience Second Place Winner: $500 Seed Capital: Neill Linebarier, Apex Dental Education Network
• Audience Third Place Winner: $250 Seed Capital: Abby Sims, Idestini
All 15 pitch participants were Arkansas businesses for five years or less, and have Annual Recurring Revenues (ARR) of at least $25,000. Anyone interested in competing in next year’s Pitch ‘N Pint should email founders@venturecenter.co.
About The Venture Center
The Venture Center is a globally recognized Arkansas based Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) that helps entrepreneurs turn their start-ups into viable, high-growth businesses. By leveraging the expertise of a world-class team of mentors, intensive programming, and introductions to the investor community, The Venture Center serves as an engine for economic growth in Arkansas and beyond.