{"id":324952,"date":"2025-10-22T22:46:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T22:46:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/324952\/"},"modified":"2025-10-22T22:46:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T22:46:19","slug":"three-startup-founders-named-as-finalists-in-2025-eosera-foundation-pitch-competition-dallas-innovates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/324952\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Startup Founders Named as Finalists in 2025 eosera Foundation Pitch Competition \u00bb Dallas Innovates"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Left to right: Annika Lundstrom, Cherie Turner, and Joanna Shu [Photos: ReMinded\/Mommy Scrubs\/Cartwheel]<\/p>\n

Next month, three women entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses at the fourth eosera Foundation Pitch Competition, seeking an opportunity to transform their businesses with $42,500 in seed funding.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The eosera Foundation Pitch Competition will host a live, \u201cShark Tank\u201d-style pitch competition Nov. 13 at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

Here are the three finalists:<\/p>\n

Annika Lundstrom: ReMinded<\/strong>
ReMinded is on a mission to become the leading solution<\/a> in salivary diagnostics. Now it\u2019s commercializing the first clinical-grade, rapid saliva test that tracks cortisol on demand, unlocking a vital biomarker for psychiatry and behavioral health.<\/p>\n

Cherie Turner: Mommy Scrubs<\/strong>
Mommy Scrubs\u2019 goal is simple\u2014to make a woman\u2019s breastfeeding journey<\/a> at work easier, more dignified, and fully supported. A portion of its profits is donated to Abide Women\u2019s Health Services in Dallas, extending its impact to moms in need.<\/p>\n

Joanna Shu: Cartwheel<\/strong>
Cartwheel helps control lice<\/a> through abrasive, mechanical action, disruption of their outer layer, air-blocking barrier effects, and naturally repellent ingredients\u2014without relying on chemical pesticides.<\/p>\n

Eosera said the competition provides female-founded ventures a funding opportunity to support their business.<\/p>\n

CEO Elyse Stoltz Dickerson said she knows how vital this funding is. The clinical trial that launched eosera was funded by the proceeds from a pitch competition she won, which she then turned into a multi-million-dollar business.<\/p>\n

\u201cLess than 2% of venture capital funding makes it into the pockets of female founders,\u201d Dickerson said. \u201cThe pitch competition exists to give women an opportunity for funding that might change the path of their venture, just like it did for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eosera said that the initial round of the 2025 competition had more than 260 applicants.<\/p>\n

To be eligible, each business must be majority female owned, have less than three years in operation, and have a strong pitch to back it.<\/p>\n

\u2018The kind of company we aspire to be\u2019<\/p>\n

For Mommy Scrubs CEO Turner, the finalist selection provides more than just a funding opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is such an honor and affirmation that my purpose-driven work with Mommy Scrubs is being seen,\u201d Turner said in a statement. \u201cIt validates not just my product, but my mission to empower breastfeeding moms in scrubs to balance work and motherhood with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to eosera, Turner and the other finalists will deliver their respective pitches live in eight minutes or less to a panel of judges from executive leadership in various industries.<\/p>\n

The finalists come from a variety of backgrounds and some already have pitch experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery pitch reinforces why we do this,\u201d Reminded CEO Lundstrom said. \u201cTo move one step closer to improving the lives of millions affected by stress-related disorders and cortisol imbalance. Being selected [as a finalist] is another opportunity to show others, especially young women scientists, that you don\u2019t need permission to start.\u201d<\/p>\n

The competition allows finalists to win up to two cash prizes. The first-place award offers $30,000, followed by $5,500 for second place and $2,500 for third place.<\/p>\n

Audience members are also able to impact the vote, and any finalist can go home with an additional $2,500 if they win the vote for the People\u2019s Choice Award.<\/p>\n

Eosera said that the live competition is expected to draw more than 200 guests.<\/p>\n

\u201cElyse and eosera represent the kind of company we aspire to be and our vision of the future,\u201d Cartwheel CEO Shu said. \u201cWinning would be both inspiration and affirmation that we\u2019re on the right path.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\tR E A D\u00a0\u00a0 N E X T\t<\/p>\n