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LCRCC’s LaunchVT Startups Net $135,000 in Cash and Services

Three female founded startups were selected to receive cash awards totalling $35,000 at the seventh annual LaunchVT Demo Night. All eight startups in the 2019 cohort have been partnered with local businesses and will receive professional services worth over $100,000.

Demo Night, LaunchVT’s annual investor showcase and pitch event, comes at the end of an eight week intensive program where entrepreneurs in the LaunchVT cohort work with a dedicated coach, strategic advisors, and each other to refine their business models, hone their pitches, and prepare for the future. Two hundred investors, advisors, and observers came out on May 31st to cheer on the founders and celebrate the local community that supports them.

Taking home the $15,000 Investors’ Award, selected by our panel of expert judges, including Jim Crook, Mary Powell and Rick Gibbs, was StrollRunner. Founded by Heather Dalton, StrollRunner is an accessory that allows runners, turned parents, to run with their strollers hands-free. Talking about the impact the LaunchVT program will have on her business, Dalton said “Between the time spent with the cohort, advisors and investors, to the experience of pitching my business in front of hundreds of people, and then winning services that will propel me faster than I could have done on my own, this entire experience has been invaluable.”

Atmosphoria founders Anna Barrett and Leyla Bringas received this year’s $15,000 EPSCoR Impact Award for their proprietary air care system that delivers masterfully blended aromas without toxins or synthetic ingredients.

Winning the newly added $5,000 Audience Choice Award was Pictal Health. Founded by Katie McCurdy, Pictal Health helps people with rare, complex, and mystery health issues tell their stories visually – helping them feel heard, seen, and understood as they work with their doctors to get the right diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to the cash awards, all eight members of the 2019 LaunchVT cohort have been matched with LaunchVT’s generous service partners to provide them with expert professional support where they need it most. The 2019 cohort and their service partners are listed below.

LaunchVT is made possible thanks to our amazing partners, including: the Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont EPSCoR, Vermont Department of Economic Development, VCET, People’s United Bank, Green Mountain Power, Mascoma Bank, FreshTracks Capital, NBT Bank, Northfield Savings Bank, HULA, Generator, Qwerkal, Gallagher Flynn & Company, Vermont Innovation Commons, Dinse, Hanson and Doremus, McSoley and McCoy, Dunkiel Saunders, Paul Frank & Collins, Leonardo’s, Merritt & Merritt, Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom, University of Vermont – OVPR, VEDA, VT Gas, Chroma Technologies, Office Environments, Reconciled, Center for Women and Enterprise, Renaissance Systems, Community Barn Ventures, IOT Conduit, Dale Carnegie, and Moulton Law Group

LaunchVT provides business acceleration programs and resources that empower Vermonters to solve problems and create economic opportunity in their communities. LaunchVT was founded and is funded by the Lake Champlain Chamber. LCRCC is the largest business advocacy organization in the state. The Chamber puts everything into place to help our members grow their businesses: providing innovative member services and programs, promoting our region, and making it an even better place to do business.

To learn more about LaunchVT visit www.launchvt.com

To learn more about LCRCC visit lccvermont.org/chamber.