Written by Dora Cheatham, Program Manager, Emerging Enterprise Center.
Beating out ten other startup companies, and despite tough competition, Green Grazer Goats grazed into the no. 1 position to win the Emerging Enterprise Center’s Swim with the Sharks Video Pitch Competition—now in its 5th year and with a Grand Prize totaling over $22,000 in cash and services.
Green Grazer Goats is an eco-friendly farming operation that works hard to turn problem areas into manageable property, efficiently clearing areas of noxious weeds and brush without the need for human labor, heavy equipment, dangerous chemicals – and all at about half the cost. With their clear vision and plan, Kalyn Butt and Kevin Connor convinced the judges that they had a viable business.
For the first time this year, the Emerging Enterprise Center, Delaware’s first small business incubator partnered with New Castle County Government, as well as multiple sponsors, to offer its largest ever prize package which included:
- Cash prize of $14,500
- $3,125 in legal services from Young, Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor, LLP
- $2,500 in professional services from William Humphreys & Co
- $2,500 in professional services from Placers
- 6 month membership in the Emerging Enterprise Center Virtual Incubation Program (valued at $1,800)
- New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Package (valued at $1,400)
- One year membership in New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (valued at $350)
The competition required participants to submit a 3-minute video pitch showcasing their company and describing how their prize package will be used to grow their business. The three finalists pitched live before a jury composed of judges from the entrepreneurial and business community. Judging was based on multiple criteria, including clarity of message and vision, value proposition and feasibility of business concept.
The two other finalists: DEact Medical Solutions and Drone Workforce Solutions, both of which also impressed the judges with their forward thinking innovations. All three finalists received prize packages. Videos of all the submissions can be seen on Emerging Enterprise Center Website.