Zero-emissions boat motors. A subscription activity kit for people with dementia. A patient-centric community pharmacy.
These are some of the ideas underpinning the startups that are now officially finalists in the eighth annual Get Started Rhode Island pitch competition, a local version of Atlanta-based Cox Business’s pitch events across the country.
This year, like most things in our pandemic world, Get Started is being held virtually. Entrepreneurs had until June 15 to submit their ideas, after which they had the opportunity to attend a pitch workshop online.
The finalists will have the opportunity to share their company and vision to a panel of judges during the main event on Sept. 30. Winners will receive a prize package worth more than $50,000, with $25,000 in cash. There’s also a chance for companies to win an Audience Choice prize of $5,000.
Meet the six finalists in this year's Get Started Rhode Island.
Pangea.app: Pangea.app is a Providence-based startup behind a platform to connect companies with college students for freelance work. Led by co-founder and CEO Adam Alpert, Pangea raised $400,000 in a pre-seed round earlier this year. The startup is one of Rhode Island Inno's 2020 Startups to Watch.
Flux Marine: This startup develops zero-emissions electric outboard boat motors. Get Started Rhode Island is not its first rodeo: Flux Marine took home top honors in the Rhode Island Business Competition in May.
VISIT: VISIT is a social and cognitive subscription activity kit that guides relationship-building between a caregiver and a loved one with dementia. It is one of 11 local startups in this year's MassChallenge Rhode Island cohort.
Asthenis: Asthenis is a Providence-based community pharmacy that offers a delivery service for patients and pharmacist-driven public health guidance.
KerlyGirl: KerlyGirl is a natural hair care venture offering organic and 100 percent plant-based products uniquely formulated for the hair needs of curly, coily and kinky textures. The startup aims to revolutionize the budding conscious space between beauty and health for folks of color. The company previously participated in Social Enterprise Greenhouse's spring Impact Accelerator.
GoPeer: GoPeer is a platform designed to connect high school students with local, college-age tutors. The startup raised an oversubscribed seed round nearly one year ago and was one of our Inno on Fire award winners this year.
Disclosure: Cox Business is a founding partner of Rhode Island Inno.
