Entrepreneurs to Compete in SBA InnovateHER Finals

On Thursday, Nov. 12, Maui’s entrepreneurs gave a one-minute pitch about their product/service. This Thursday, the finalists will have five minutes to pitch their ideas with one winner announced at the end of the evening. Pictured: Entrepreneurs with MEDB organizers and event observers. MEDB photo.

Ten entrepreneurs will compete in the final round of the InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The public is invited to attend the competition, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the MEDB Malcolm Center in Kīhei.

Hosted by Maui Economic Development Board, this nationwide prize competition was created by the US Small Business Administration with the goal of finding products and services across the country that help impact and empower the lives of women and families.

On Thursday, Nov. 12, Maui’s entrepreneurs presented one-minute pitches about their product/service to a panel of judges—Teena Rasmussen (director, County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development), Helen Nielsen (VP, Starr Equities Inc.), Michael Pfeffer (CEO, Ibis Networks) and Kim Sloan (VP, Hawai‘i Fudge Company).

This Thursday, the finalists will have five minutes to pitch their ideas to a new group of judges with one winner announced at the end of the evening.

The finalists who will be competing this Thursday are: Coleen D’Avignon, Ned Davis/Claire Gilbert, Terra Foti, Anna Goodreau, Lin ter Horst, Pamela Norris, Ariana Stugard, David Tatera, Anjali Trice and Zoe Weston.

MEDB will award the Maui winner $500 in cash. They’ll also have the opportunity to compete for $70,000 in prize money, if selected as an SBA national finalist.

Sponsors include SBA, the County of Maui Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and Pacific Media Group.

The MEDB Malcolm Center is located at 1305 N. Holopono St.