Northeast Innovation's #HolidayPitch night of Local Food, Networking, and a Start Up Pitch Compe

Factory Underground had a festive makeover December 6th for Northeast Innovation’s first annual #HolidayPitch event. Around eighty people attended the night of networking, local food, and a cash prize competition for the best startup pitches. First and second place winners were Blythe Serrano from 4Paws and Shannon Malkin Daniels from Encaptiv who went home with $500 and $250 cash prizes respectively. Nydia Shipman from Worthy Company won Audience Choice.

Winners Shannon Malkin Daniels, Blythe Serrano, and Nydia Shipman

Northeast Innovation's Peter Propp and Barry Schwimmer with the winners

Tickets to the event helped raise money for The Wall Street Theater and April Jackson’s Students With Aspirational Goals (SWAG) project. The Wall Street Theater is a nonprofit organization that promotes arts education and provides diverse programing. SWAG provides after school programs that teach real world skills for middle and high school students in the Fairfield County.

Shipman presenting her pitch

Food, drinks, and DJ Juelz’s music helped create the fun, festive atmosphere that made the #HolidayPitch event memorable. Wine and Liquor Superstore, BevMax, sponsored the beer and wine for the evening. The array of food was provided by Nit Noi Provisions, Maikana Foods, Nutty Bunny, and Nutshell of the Fairfield County Food Forum, a local food startup collective.

The event was produced by Northeast Innovation, Katia Garcon Events, and Salty Red Dog Marketing.