Apr 28, 2022

ABOUT PITCH NIGHTThe halfway point of each accelerator program is the lightning pitch night, where the founders have their first chance to pitch in front of a panel of investors, who donate their time to assist in evaluating the lightning pitches and providing key feedback to each of the founders.The team at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA was an asset in helping each founder prepare for their 3-minute pitch. As part of the program BFTP’s Rick Genzer led a virtual pitch prep workshop, where the founders could ask questions about the process, get to know an investor’s perspective, and play-test ideas.For this pitch, each founder pitched for 3 minutes, and the judges had 5 minutes for feedback. This session is meant to strengthen their pitch muscles, provide a safe space to discuss their companies with investors, and give them a chance to cheer one another on in the process. Read below for more details about the event. Supporting judgesWe were thrilled to receive interest about the program from investors across concentrations. It was important to the PSL team, especially the Director of Programs, that the investors represented have experience in investing in the industries they are evaluating. Please note that not all investors who evaluated are pictured here; we appreciate each and every one of these experts for donating their time: <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Rick Genzer Ben Franklin Technology Partners <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Marc Kramer Private Investor’s Forum <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Evan Cannon Osage Venture Partners <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> MINA MISHRIKEY Meridia Capital Holdings <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Roger J. Braunfeld Royer Cooper Cohen & Braunfeld <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> james massaquoi Osage Venture Partners <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Jennifer piro The Cannabis Syndicate <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Skip Shuda Green Rush Advisors <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Mark Trabbold Ben Franklin Technology Partners <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Frank Manganella 3A Ventures <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Tiara Durham Founders First Capital Partners <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure image-block-outer-wrapper image-block-v2 design-layout-overlap combination-animation-none individual-animation-none individual-text-animation-none image-position-left "> Susan Yee Broad Street Angels The FeedbackWe divided the 17 founders from 2 cohorts into separate breakout rooms for their pitches. Overall, the investors and the PSL team were blown away by the pitches, and the cohort found the feedback valuable at this critical time. Below are just some of the takeaways from the session:   <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic "> Very helpful feedback from the investors. It was helpful to hear how they saw my business so differently than I did. New perspective.- Jeannie Stith, Color Guru   I tried a new deck and different points of emphasis for this shorter pitch knowing that I would get feedback and it's helpful to see what landed and what didn't.- Julia Loni Turner, NEKKTAR <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic ">    <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic "> {The feedback made me} realize there's a need for clarification…It makes me keep sight on pivoting to find alternative applications for the technology if needed and focused on developing proof cases.- Dyshaun Hines, METRODAO   This confirmed our need to connect with growers and talk through some of the potential hurdles we face in commercial and consumer adoption of our system.- Drew Jordan, CANNISTER <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic ">    <figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic "> {The Investors} asked us to factor in the other industries which can use our device. It made me think of all the ways we can make narrative different to make it more compelling.- Sudipti Attri, AlgaSci  At the end of the accelerator program, be sure to attend the 2022 Entrepreneur Expo to meet the current cohorts in person. Register for your donation-based ticket to stay informed. If you would like to connect directly with any of our founders, please reach out to engage@phillystartupleaders.org and we will make the introduction. Join Entrepreneur Expo 2022