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WESTPORT – StartUp Westport will launch its first pitch competition this week, with five entrepreneurs vying for $25,000 in non-dilutive funding to help advance their business idea.

The “Shark Tank” style event will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20th, at the Westport Library. Free tickets can be purchased here.

The competition is the culmination of a months-long process, in which 77 pre-institutional funding startups with Connecticut-based founders (or strong connections to the state) applied for assistance from StartUp Westport. Twenty-one were selected to participate in coaching and mentorship programs from StartUp Westport mentors, the Westport Library’s business librarian, and local experts.

Five finalists were selected from this group. Their live pitches, put together after months of mentorship and coaching from StartUp Westport, will be judged by a panel of Westport-based venture capitalists.

The finalists include:

  • Chroma Shield, a healthcare technology company whose flagship product is a smart, wearable patch designed to detect and monitor radiation therapy-induced dermatitis and offer early warning signs of any inflammation or other complications, thus improving collaboration between clinical care and at-home monitoring to provide better treatment and patient outcomes.
  • Mirabelle Medical, a healthcare technology company offering a wellness device for women to more effectively conduct self-exams for breast cancer in between mammograms.
  • Neuro Puffs, a food innovation company creating a crunch, adaptogen-powered snack from superfood mushrooms grown on upcycled food waste, thereby creating an environmentally friendly and inexpensive option for improving one’s energy and focus.
  • Nexa Tax, a financial services technology company which seeks to fulfill the unmet need of assisting college athletes with managing their taxes when they profit from their name, image, or likeness.
  • Wheel Price, an automotive technology company providing a trusted online marketplace for car enthusiasts to buy and sell used parts.

The panel of judges includes Matt Gorin of Contour Venture Partners, Kal Amin of 1848 Ventures, Kira Vanderwert of Outsiders Fund, and Cliff Sirlin of Launch Capital. Sirlin is also the president of StartUp Westport, which was established in March 2023 to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in Fairfield County. StartUp Westport has since grown to 2,700 members.