The most anticipated and thrilling business event of the year, the Fairfield StartUp Showcase, is pleased to announce the student entrepreneurs who have been selected to compete in this year’s business plan competition. The five teams who will pitch for seed money to start their businesses include AutoDolly, Fresh Ponics, Matchmaker Solutions, and SheIsArt.

Teams have been working hard to develop their business model ideas. Last semester, students tested their ideas at the Business Model Workshop, networked with potential mentors at the Mentoring Mixer, and finally pitched their business model at the Showcase Qualifiers in December. Students also had the opportunity to participate in the Elevator Pitch Competition.

For the qualifying Showcase teams, the hard work is not over! After advancing with the best pitches from the Qualifier round, students will now take part in a semester-long class to further develop their business ideas. Each week students will meet with local entrepreneurs and Angel Investors to further develop their business models and learn about key skills including branding, pitching, promotion, pricing, and distinguishing themselves from the competition.

The big debut will come on April 25 when the following teams pitch for seed money in front of a live audience and an investor panel of alumni and local business professionals to start their businesses:

AutoDolly is an affordable motion control device for independent filmmakers on a budget. It provides camera movements with minimal pre-programming.

Fresh Ponics is an urban agriculture solution that provides fresh produce year-round to areas that do not have access to national grocery chains.

Matchmaker Solutions is a one-stop-shop for getting your product ready to market. Come with a sketch and leave with a finished, 3D-printed product and a new business partner.

SheIsArt is a digital magazine that seeks to uplift and unify women of color by demonstrating that every woman is art and has a compelling story. 

Joining the Showcase again this year to provide an update on her business is 2018 StartUp Showcase competitor Diandre Clarke ’18 with Belle. Belle is a self-sustaining organization that delivers mentoring programs to help young women build a personal support system through workshops, mentorship, and counseling to strengthen their self-esteem. This one-women team inspired the investor panel and audience last year with her passion and drive to create change and empower local communities.  

Be sure to save the date – April 25 – to see these four teams pitch at the 2019 Fairfield Startup Showcase at the Quick Center. For more information about the Showcase visit Fairfield.edu/startup.

Can’t make it to the Showcase? You can watch the action live on Facebook.