The top gathering spot in the Dayton region for aspiring entrepreneurs held its anticipated pitch competition.
Launch Dayton Startup Week, presented by Fifth Third Bank, wrapped up its annual pitch competition, awarding a total of $20,000 in prizes. The pitch competition took place on Sept. 11 at Dayton Barrel Works.
Seven innovative startups took the stage to pitch their ideas and two emerging companies came out on top in the technology and main street tracks respectively.
In the Tech Track, IonTech secured the first-place prize of $10,000 with its cutting-edge sustainable energy storage solutions. Focused on sustainable, cost-effective energy storage solutions, IonTech is harnessing eco-friendly sodium resources to create scalable, green energy technologies.
“I want to thank the Entrepreneurs’ Center for giving me this opportunity,” said Subathra Rajedran of IonTech. ”It was amazing to be a part of the program. Thank you to the entire team and especially to LeKeisha Grant for supporting me to the maximum.”
Also on the Tech Track, RYN claimed the second-place prize of $2,500 for its AI-powered fashion app, which revolutionized how users style their wardrobes. RYN’s mobile app helps users style their existing wardrobes, making fashion more accessible and sustainable.
In the Main Street Track, local brand Whiskermen won the 1st place prize of $5,000. Whiskermen is a Dayton-based company dedicated to crafting premium beard care products, with a focus on quality, community and supporting local initiatives.
“As a winner, I’m thrilled that I was able to represent our company and be in Dayton and continue to grow the Dayton market and support the community,” said John Matecki, owner of Whiskerman.
NexGen Webcreators earned 2nd place in the Main Street Track and a $500 prize for their digital marketing expertise. The company helps businesses in Dayton elevate their brands and connect with their audiences as a digital marketing firm driving sustainable growth.
Other participating startups included:
- Avoinova: A medical technology startup specializing in vestibular technologies to enhance spatial orientation, balance, and alleviate motion sickness, serving the military, space, and healthcare sectors.
- Volley: Simplifying scheduling and league management for sand volleyball enthusiasts, Volley is revolutionizing how teams organize and play.
- Volynt Aero: An innovative aircraft manufacturer developing unmanned cargo eVTOLs to autonomously address transportation challenges in remote or disaster-stricken areas.
Alongside the Tech and Main Street Track winners, the competition also included a student pitch category. Michael Mathews from Wright State University took home the 1st place prize of $750, while Hank Veeneman from the University of Dayton earned 2nd place and $250.
Each year, Hundreds of innovators converge at The Hub in the downtown Dayton Arcade for the community-driven Startup Week conference. The week-long schedule includes talks, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities.
The conference is put together by Launch Dayton, the creator of a network of support organizations, resources and like-minded individuals creating a comprehensive ecosystem for startups and small businesses.
