Five new companies will compete for a $10,000 prize and more at the annual Swim with the Sharks pitch competition Sept. 25. Photo from last year’s contest.
Five Delaware entrepreneurs will compete Sept. 25 for a $10,000 prize in the Emerging EnterpriseCenter’s Swim with the Sharkspitch competition.
The 12th annual “Shark Tank”-style pitch contest, presented by the Delaware Division of Small Business Office of Supplier Diversity, will be hosted by DETV’s Ivan Thomas at Penn Cinema.
Swim with the Sharks, one of Delaware’s longest-running pitch competitions, has showcased more than 100 entrepreneurs since its inception, awarding over $110,000 in cash and numerous additional prizes.
Past winner Mac Macleod, CEO and co-founder of Carvertise, will deliver the keynote address.
The judging panel for this year’s event will include:
Tierra Fair, vice president of engagement and partnerships at United Way
Jose Lopez, owner of La Tolteca Mexican Restaurant
Margie Crouch, vice president, SBA relationship manager at WSFS Bank
Past Sharks winners
The competition has been instrumental in the success of notable startups, including Mac Macleod of Carvertise, Karin Roseman of Deer Valley Danes, and Amira Idris of TheraV.
Past winner Jayvon Fairman-Davis, founder of Chess Express Kids, reflected on his victory, stating, “What the $10,000 means is I can hire four more instructors to teach at twelve different schools, and that will affect more than 240 kids in our area.”
This annual event rewards promising startups with crucial funding and celebrates the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit driving economic growth in Delaware.
Attendees can expect networking opportunities during a happy hour featuring Wilmington Brew Works, where they’ll meet semi-finalists and finalists, enjoy a keynote address, and cheer on the finalists during their live pitches.
The $10,000 Grand Prize grant is provided by the New Castle County Office of Economic Development’s NCC Innovates initiative, along with additional cash prizes to help them accelerate and expand their businesses.
The EmergingEnterpriseCenteris a non-profit business incubator dedicated to ensuring the success of local entrepreneurs providing expert guidance to fast track their learning curve, connecting businesses with the resources they require and offering affordable office space within a supportive environment.
As an initiative of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, the incubator and accelerator program offers 5000 square feet of affordable office and co-working space, conference rooms, professional business development, expert mentorships, office amenities and connections that are vital to the success of new business start-ups and entrepreneurs
Tickets are free for members and $20 for others. Penn Cinema Riverfront 14 is located at 401 S Madison St., Wilmington. Register here.
Doors open at 4 p.m. with a showcase and networking happy hour. the competition begins at 5 p.m.
