2nd Annual Genesis Pitch & Pick Invitational Recap

🎉 What an incredible Pitch & Pick Invitational! This year's event showcased six outstanding tech startups from Newfoundland and Labrador. The 2024 finalists represented a diverse range of industries and ideas:

Each venture took the stage at the Emera Innovation Exchange to present their innovative ideas in a competition for more than $20,000 in cash and prizes. Adding to the excitement, the brand-new Pitcher Plant Trophy, crafted by local artist Ian Gillies, made its debut. This stunning steel sculpture of Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial flower symbolizes strength and resilience—embodying the qualities of tech founders. At the start of the event, it was ceremoniously presented to last year's winners, Veristart, before being awarded to Weevva at the end of the competition. While the trophy will remain on display throughout the year at Genesis, each winning company receives a beautifully framed pewter pitcher plant created by Quidi Vidi Pewter as a permanent keepsake.

Here's a recap of this year's winners and their incredible achievements:

🏠 Top Prize Winner: Weevva

Founder Matt Creese's innovative platform, which simplifies the rental process, claimed the top prize of $10,000. In addition to the grand prize, Weevva earned two professional development courses from the Gardiner Centre and claimed the Pitcher Plant Trophy.

⚖️ Runner-Up: Hadamard AI

Founders Thomas and Nathaniel Roberts secured the runner-up spot with $5,000 and an IP Consulting Session valued at $1,600, courtesy of Springboard Atlantic Inc. IP Advantage. They also won the Bluedrop True Blue Award and $1,500, reflecting their commitment to tackling meaningful challenges.

🐝 Fry Family Foundation Belonging Award: Beena

Founders Ayush Neupane and Dikson Rajbanshi received $1,000 for their resilience and dedication to the Genesis core values of community, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

🤝 Community Choice Award: NutraForge Technologies and atlantiq AI (Tie)

Both teams received $1,250, an IP Guide from Springboard Atlantic, and a one-year Business and Arts NL membership.

🍎 Top Student-Founded Company: NutraForge Technologies

In addition to the Community Choice Award, NutraForge, co-founded by Garreth Kippenhuck and Jager Cooper, was recognized as the Top Student-Founded Company, earning a $2,000 prize.

🌟 Special Thanks

Our expert judges—Angela Avery, Ajay Pande, Kelly Devereaux, Ken Marshall, and Valerie Copeland—enriched the event with their insights and thoughtful questions. Guest emcee Adam Walsh, host of CBC Newfoundland and Labrador's The Signal, brought energy and community spirit to the stage.

🎉 A Grateful Community

Pitch & Pick was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: Emera, Springboard Atlantic, Fry Family Foundation, and Bluedrop ISM. Genesis also thanks its in-kind supporters: Gardiner Centre, Springboard Atlantic's Atlantic IP Advantage, Business and Arts NL, The Oat Company, and Memorial University's Conference and Event Services.

We can't wait to see where these incredible innovators go from here! 🚀

📹 Catch the Action

If you missed the event or want to rewatch the pitches, the live-stream recording is available on the Genesis YouTube channel.

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