TechLaunch, the Kinnelon-based accelerator for the region’s technology startups, held its 18th BullPen pitch competition in virtual form earlier this month.
Three companies took part, hoping to win the Investor Award, which comes with more than $15,000 of professional services donated by sponsors, as well as an opportunity to pitch at a meeting of the Jumpstart NJ Angel Network and a pitch slot at Tech Council Ventures.
It was TechLaunch’s second virtual BullPen event, following No. 17 in July.
The winner was Calamu, a New Jersey-based data protection company that uses the cloud to make data breach-proof. Founder and CEO Paul Lewis gave the winning presentation.
“As an entrepreneur, TechLaunch really helped me to perfect my pitch deck and tell my story,” he said in a statement after winning. “Long before the actual BullPen No. 18 event, the TechLaunch mentors coached me in ways that were invaluable. My company, Calamu, was named the winner less than an hour ago, and I already have several email inquiries and LinkedIn requests from potential investors.”
The other companies presenting were TapArt, a Brooklyn-based graphic design marketplace for wall art, helping digital artists bring their designs to the user’s door; and Career.Place, a Texas-based human resources tech startup focused on candidate screening.
“Notwithstanding our preference for the face-to-face networking of the traditional BullPen experience, this — our second all-virtual pitch event — has proven categorically that the quality of contenders has not only been sustained, it’s actually increased,” Mario Casabona, TechLaunch’s founder and managing director, said in a statement.
Judges for the event included adviser Christine Caruso, entrepreneurs Jay Bhatti and Jill Johnson, and Joanne Lin, a principal with Newark Venture Partners.
In addition to Jumpstart NJ Angel Network and Tech Council Ventures, sponsors providing advisory services included Gibbons P.C., Withum, Gearhart Law and Casabona Ventures.
The next BullPen event, No. 19, is scheduled for December and also expected to be held virtually. Click here to apply.
