CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwired - Oct 14, 2015) - Nine student teams pitched their entrepreneurial visions on Friday, October 9th to a standing-room-only crowd at District Hall in Boston's Innovation District. When the dust settled, PICCPerfect of Babson College emerged victorious at the third annual MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) of Cambridge's #BeantownThrowdown. The room full of business executives, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and students voted with millions of dollars of MITEFMoney to pick the winner.
PICCPerfect brings confidence into the lives of people living with chronic illness through the stylish and sanitary PICCPerfect peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line covers. Emily Levy, CEO and co-Founder of the startup, shared how her personal struggle with severe chronic Lyme disease led to founding the company.
The evening kicked off with a fireside chat about entrepreneurship moderated by Boston Globe Innovation Economy columnist Scott Kirsner and a panel of local innovation community luminaries, including Katie Rae, managing director of TechStars and founder of Project 11; Jebbit Founder and CEO Tom Coburn; and Ecovent Systems Founder and CEO Dip Patel.
Second place went to Wentworth Institute of Technology's BARS for its high quality therapy devices at an affordable cost for people with mobility impairments. Northeastern University's Knightly took third for its mobile safety network that keeps college students safe whenever and wherever by keeping them connected to their friends and campus police at the touch of a button.
Showcasing the highest number of Boston-area colleges and universities at a single entrepreneurial student business pitch competition, #BeantownThrowdown was a signature event during HUBweek, a week-long, city-wide festival celebrating ideas and innovation in the Boston area hosted by MIT, Harvard University, The Boston Globe, and Mass General Hospital.
"Congratulations to PICCPerfect for captivating the audience with its passion to improve the lives of people suffering from chronic illnesses and articulating a strong vision for the market potential of its PICC line covers. Company co-founder Emily Levy did an impressive job of articulating a compelling business model that would fuel her startup's success," said Katja Wald, Executive Director, MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge. "All of the teams were impressive. We wish them each the best of luck as they chase their dreams and remind them that the greater Boston region is an excellent place to launch a business."
The winning teams will all receive prize packages from #BeantownThrowdown sponsors CHEN PR, Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, Coalition Workspace, getfused and Rough Draft Ventures that include in-kind legal and marketing services, office space, the opportunity to pitch for additional funding, and meet-and-greet meals with top local innovation media.
Startups from Boston University, Boston College, Berklee College of Music, Harvard University, MIT and UMass Lowell also participated. Prior to the competition, teams received pitch coaching sessions with Linda Plano of Plano & Simple.
PICCPerfect received a custom-made trophy designed and crafted by danger!awesome that will be etched with the names of the winning team and passed to the winner of each year's competition.
About The MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge
The MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge is the founding chapter and one of 25 worldwide chapters comprising the MIT Enterprise Forum, Inc. Offering more than 40 programs and events annually that inspire innovation, MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge initiatives facilitate critical one-on-one mentoring while providing team services that increase the skills and expertise necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed.
Contact Information:
Shannon Todesca
(for MIT Enterprise Forum of Cambridge)
CHEN PR, Inc.
781-672-3147
