It’s A Wrap!

posted on October 3, 2016

The 2016 Great Social Enterprise Pitch ended with a bang!  After a life-time of dreaming, 4 months of intense training and business model development, 3 weeks of crowdfunding, and countless hours spent perfecting their pitches, the five finalists pitched their social enterprise ideas to a prestigious panel of judges at a sold-out Ware Center in downtown Lancaster.  Not only did the crowd hear from these 5 entrepreneurs, but they were also inspired by Matt Stinchcomb, Executive Director of Etsy.org, to transform the way that they think about business.

Congratulations to Melanin Essentials, who took home the top prize.  

A full list of results is as follows:

First Place
Melanin Essentials — $7,500 Cash Prize and $11,345 in pro-bono services

Second Place
Bootcamp 900 — $5,000 Cash Prize and $6,775 in pro-bono services

Third Place
Five Loaves Food Company — $2,500 Cash Prize and $3,075 in pro-bono services

Fourth Place
Sophie Stargazer Boutique — $1,000 Cash Prize and $1,775 in pro-bono services

Fifth Place
WIN Workplace Solutions — $500 Cash Prize and $425 in pro-bono services

Audience Vote
Bootcamp 900 — Audience donations of $640

 

Thanks to all the wonderful sponsors, judges, and supporters who attended this event!  Also, a huge congratulations to the other participants who have amazing social enterprise ideas, but weren’t selected as a finalist.  Please support these social entrepreneurs as well!

Be on the lookout for applications to enter next year’s competition! Applications will be due Spring 2017!

[ssba]