Solé Scott Photos.
Organically-made intimate apparel for women. An Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning system that simulates conversations before they happen. A program for elementary children to learn design literacy.
Those were just some of the pitches to come to the LAB at ConnCORP on a recent Wednesday, as the Community Foundation Mission Investments Company (TCFMIC) hosted a “Women’s History Month Pitch Night” at the Morse Street incubator and business hub. Part networking, part business development and part high-stakes pitch competition, the night featured five women entrepreneurs with five equally different concepts, from clothing to approaches to substance use disorder.
Entrepreneurs included Puure lingerie founder Christina Phillips; Jeanine DeFalco of Mixta AI; Tiffany Yu of Glowhopper; Marlene Megos of Equate Education; and Cassandra Hamer of Design Elementary. More on that below.
“About 80 percent of the businesses across the LAB’s membership are all women-owned businesses,” said Jahkeeva Morgan, vice president of business incubator and entrepreneurship at the LAB—so it only made sense to welcome TCFMIC with open arms. The company is part of the New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (NHE3), which reflects the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s progressive investment to inclusive growth in the region.
Even before the pitches began, the atmosphere was electric. Jazz music floated through the room, a former school gymnasium that has become a multipurpose space. Guests could test four different vendors, like Annamaria Jones’ Zen Juju Boutique. Inspired by her mother, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Jones runs a brick-and-mortar store in the Danbury Mall, easy to find because of its signature pink color.
As more guests made their way into the room, excitement built for the main event. Attendees got to know a trio of judges, including Tanya Kelley, a financial business advisor with the Women’s Business Development Council, Mostafa Analoui, director of M&T Bank Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Carlton Highsmith, the chair of the board of directors at ConnCORP (Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program).
Conversation fell to a hum. With the judges introduced and the room suddenly quiet in anticipation, the stage was set. Then Hamer waltzed from her chair to the side of the board as she faced the judges and audience head on.
Hamer’s presentation and pitch focused on teaching graphic design for children and making sure it is accessible. She started off asking the audience if they were a child in school who would get in trouble and bored throughout the day.
Hands rose around the room as laughs erupted in agreement. As Hamer pulled up a picture of her younger self, the illustration transported viewers to an art classroom.
“At the age of nine created her first level design, at the age of 11 started her first design business,” Hamer said.
Hamer explained that she started that business—which became another business idea, which ultimately became Design Elementary—because she wasn’t getting the education she needed to succeed. She wants better for the young people of today.
“It wasn't because I didn't want to learn and it wasn't because I didn't like school, it was because of how I was being taught,” Hamer said.
During the presentation, Hamer mentioned that the curriculum focuses on ages 3-12 years old, which meets a range of developmental needs. Over the last few years, Design Elementary has worked with over 4,000 students nationally and abroad.
Christina Phillips. Solé Scott Photos.
Phillips, meanwhile, was perhaps the most standout pitch of the night due to her focus on women's organic intimate apparel. As she rose to speak, she explained that the business has grown out of a personal need: Phillips has multiple female family members with uterine fibroids, which can be extremely painful. As she got older, she also developed fibroids, and was determined to understand the cause. Her quest led her to found a new brand of underwear.
“Did you know that the chemicals used in the manufacturing of underwear are known to be toxic to the body? Phillips said.
The company prides itself on being free of toxic chemicals, fashionable and comfortable and educational for consumers, she said. The color choices—purple, black and grey—are meant to amplify the company’s mission of embracing authenticity.
Throughout the night, cinematographer, director and editor Isaiah Providence made his way around the room, capturing photos and interviews with entrepreneurs and attendees.
“I am here to support women entrepreneurship,” Providence said. “I am here to support the mission investment company with their endeavors and also bring awareness in being able to provide content for the mission investment company, so that they have content to put out.”
By 6:30, judges had made their final decisions as everyone, including the business owners, held their breath.
In third place, Tiffany Yu of Glowhopper won $1,500. The company focuses on mapping the availability of Narcan all over the nation.
The runner up was Phillips who is the founder of Puure. Then in first place, the $4,000 winner of the pitch night was Jeanine DeFalco of Mixta AI.