St. Pete Pitch Night Celebrates Innovation and Entrepreneurship

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Pete Pitch Night Celebrates Innovation and Entrepreneurship

June 12, 2024, St. Petersburg, FL – The vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of St. Petersburg was on full display at the St. Pete Pitch Night held on June 11, 2024. This event, held twice per year in the Summer and Winter and sponsored by Regions Bank, has become a cornerstone of the local business community, bringing together innovative startups, esteemed judges, and a supportive audience to celebrate and support the next generation of business leaders.

Hosted again at Coastal Creative and emceed by Esther Matthews (All Administrative Solutions), the evening featured five dynamic startups vying for a chance to win the grand prize of $5,000 from Regions Bank towards their business. Each entrepreneur had six minutes to present their business concept to a panel of four judges, including local business leaders: Renee Edwards (Saturday Shoppes), Osama Sabbah (Bedrock Inc.), Tricia Johnson (Regions Bank), and famous investor and serial entrepreneur, Kevin Harrington, best known as the inventor of the infomercial and one of the original sharks on the show Shark Tank. 

Winning Innovations

This year's top prize was awarded to Yugo Park, a mobile app designed to allow travelers the opportunity to book and reserve parking ahead of time. Yugo differentiates from the typical parking app by allowing homeowners, lot owners and businesses to list and rent their empty spaces on the platform. Hosts can tailor their availability to their personal schedules and price the spaces how they want.

The audience also participated in selecting their favorite startup through online voting for the Audience Choice prize of $500, and selected Moshoboga as the winner. Moshoboga is an app that lets you browse and launch all the movies and shows on all streaming services. The other participants included Heron House Management, Quin, and Service Station Hospitality Job Board who all showcased unique and impactful solutions ranging from a virtual house management service to a hospitality job board. The diversity of ideas highlighted the broad spectrum of innovation thriving in St. Petersburg.

Community and Collaboration

The event underscored the collaborative spirit that defines St. Petersburg's entrepreneurial ecosystem. "St. Pete Pitch Night is not just a competition; it's a celebration of the creativity and determination that fuel our local economy," said Lauren Frawley, Business Marketing and Events Coordinator for the St. Pete Greenhouse and one of the event organizers. "We're proud to provide a platform for these entrepreneurs to share their visions and connect with resources that can help them succeed."

In addition to the pitches, attendees had the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and forge new partnerships, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Looking Ahead

St. Pete Pitch Night continues to grow in prominence, attracting talent and investment to the region. The success of the event is a testament to the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant startup culture. As St. Petersburg continues to evolve as a hub for innovation, events like Pitch Night play a crucial role in supporting and celebrating the entrepreneurial journey. The next St. Pete Pitch Night is scheduled for December 10, 2024 at Coastal Creative.

Event Photography
For pictures from the night, please click here or visit: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBv5t9

About St. Pete Pitch Night

St. Pete Pitch Night is dedicated to showcasing the brightest startups in St. Petersburg. It provides a platform for entrepreneurs to present their business ideas to a panel of judges and an audience of investors, industry experts, and community members. The event aims to foster innovation, support local businesses, and contribute to the economic growth of the region.

For more information about St. Pete Pitch Night and future events, please visit stpetegreenhouse.com/pitch.