Posted on December 8, 2022 by Heather Adams

Berks LaunchBox Idea TestLab Announces ‘Final Pitch’ Winners

by Berks Launchbox

Berks LaunchBox Idea TestLab Announces ‘Final Pitch’ Winners
Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State recently announced the winners of its Idea TestLab accelerator pitch competition. From left to right: Patricia Leshinskie (Berks LaunchBox), Erica Kunkel (Berks LaunchBox), Kryn McClain (CataPalloVR), Joe Strauss (Multi-Pet Feeding Station) on screen, Michelle Hnath (Berks LaunchBox), Theron Cook (Don’t Quit Branding), Lisa Weaver (Berks LaunchBox), Porsche Davis-Taylor (Natural Skincare).

Berks LaunchBox powered by Penn State recently announced the winners of its Idea TestLab accelerator pitch competition. CataPalloVR earned first place with Natural Skincare taking second place.  Multi-Pet Feeding Station and Don’t Quit Branding tied for third place.

The competition started with six selected startups that received coaching to test their business ideas through customer discovery. The entrepreneurs met with potential customers, identified their target audience and value proposition, and created pitches. The program concluded with the pitch competition where teams competed for seed funding to continue their business development.

CataPalloVR, a web-based learning modules program that helps address service gaps for young adults with autism started by Kryn McClain, received $500 in seed funding. Second place Natural Skincare, a skincare line made from ethically sourced beeswax and plant-based ingredients started by Porsche Davis-Taylor, received $300 seed funding.

Multi-Pet Feeding Station, an adjustable pet feeding station startup started by Joe Strauss, and Don’t Quit Branding, a visual branding company focused on helping small urban businesses, started by Theron Cook, each received $100 in seed funding.

Competition judges included Erika Swift, operations director for Penn State’s College of Medicine’s Center for Medical Innovation, Jobany Bedoya, owner of Diversity Mixers and Red Tie Affairs, LLC., and Adrean Turner, author, coach, and adjunct professor of business at Alvernia and Widener Universities.

The mission of Berks LaunchBox, located in Suite 105 of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in downtown Reading, is to support economic development and entrepreneurship. An innovation hub of Penn State Berks, Berks LaunchBox connects local entrepreneurs to the support, resources, and facilities that they need to build sustainable and scalable businesses with a viable plan for growth. Services include assistance with prototyping, conducting market research, and connecting with advisers. Berks LaunchBox offers entrepreneurship workshops, coworking space for startups, Meetups focused on business development, a makerspace with 3D printers for prototyping, and special youth programs.

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Community Testimonials

Wish my town had a channel like this, very cool idea to bring the community together and give people a platform.

James

I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity you have created for our kids.  This experience is more than the TV show.  Eight students who probably never would have talked to each other were excited to execute a plan. Know that you make a difference.

Kristi

Thanks for your commitment to communication far and wide, for your technical support, and tireless efforts to bring fresh programs to BCTV. Bravo!

Liz

Thank you for always being receptive to my ideas. All of your efforts help me to help others and that is a blessing to me.

Adrean

Fantastic work and thanks so much for the quick turnaround!  Always a pleasure to work with you and the rest of the BCTV team!

Jim

Thank you and your staff for all you do to accommodate so many different shows, personalities, etc.!  Can’t be easy, but we really do appreciate it.

Martha

I am happy and proud to be a part of such a dedicated assembly of talent and purpose. Thank you for being a part of my efforts to promote theater and the arts in this region.

David