Description

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It requires grit, dedication, sacrifice, and tenacity. But those who succeed contribute vitally to our economy and it behooves us all to do what we can to help those with the ideas and determination to succeed to reach their goals and create wealth and employment within our communities. The purpose of this event is not simply to present a check to a deserving start up, but to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that fosters economic growth, community engagement, and employment.

Hear from Iola Harper, Deputy Director of Commerce for the Office of Economic Opportunity in Philadelphia, a nationally-recognized, award-winning advocate for small business and urban neighborhoods.  She has spent well over two decades working diligently with minority and women-owned firms and economic development agencies across the Delaware Valley, helping them gain access to needed financial, technical, and contract opportunity. Her success working with not only small businesses but in urban neighborhoods garnered the attention of former Governor of PA when she was named one of Pennsylvania's top 50 Women in Business. Her work drew a national spotlight several years ago when she was honored by the Small Business Administration as one of the Nation's top small business advocates and when she was named one of Philadelphia?s most influential women by the NAACP. 


Click here to see who the finalists are:  http://www.eecincubator.com/swim-with-the-sharks-finalists.html

MEET LAST YEAR'S WINNER:
Dr. Sumedh Surwade?s PhD research led him to the founding of SAS Nanotechnologies where he develops environmentally friendly, self-healing anti-corrosive coatings. By working within Delaware?s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Dr. Surwade further honed his commercialization process, won an SBIR Phase I grant, and was also encouraged to pitch in the EEC?s annual Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition. Winning that competition allowed him to purchase vital equipment that help him speed up testing and commercialization. Dr. Surwade is currently in partnership discussions with a number of major strategic companies. Just a few months after his Swim with the Sharks win, Dr. Surwade was invited to pitch again at DESCA?s Venture Forum where he was approached by a VC firm seeking to invest in SAS Nanotechnologies.

JOIN US and VOTE FOR THE NEXT WINNER!
The three finalists will be invited to present a five (5) minute pitch before on audience and a panel during the Annual EEC Luncheon to be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 at the Harry?s Savoy Grill in Wilmington, DE. The winner will be selected based on a combined judge/audience vote.

Lunch will be served. If you have any dietary restrictions, please indicate so in your registration.