In November 2019, the LHBS partnered with TechLaunch, a New Jersey-based investor-led technology accelerator, to host “Bullpen #15” for the third time. Students participating in the event experience first-hand the challenges faced by entrepreneurs who aspire to launch their concept or product in the marketplace. TechLaunch works to identify and nurture early-stage tech ventures by collaborating with different universities to host pitch events in a Shark Tank format. Three to four technology ventures are invited to present ideas to a carefully selected panel of potential investors as well as an audience of students, faculty, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are encouraged to question and critique proposals. MBA alumnus, Jeff Weinstein, has been key to the success of our relationship with TechLaunch, giving time to mentoring students and judging the competition.
Patricia Skora and Victoria Johnson, a Monmouth University team, won the opportunity to present at Bullpen #15 in an earlier, University-wide, competition: Tech Pitch. LHBS and School of Science professors worked with the Monmouth University Center for Entrepreneurship (MUCE)—housed in the Business School—to mentor students who presented their technology-based concepts in a bid for the coveted spot at the TechLaunch event. The Skora-Johnson team won for its concept, Checkmate, an app designed to streamline the process of checking boat-parts for compliance in International Laser Class Association (ILCA) sailing events.
This year’s Bullpen event was closely contested. The global medical education company, eMedEvents, won the Investor Award, including $15,000 in professional services donated by TechLaunch sponsors and the opportunity to pitch at an upcoming meeting of Jumpstart NJ Angel Network. Hooke Audio—owner of a patented, mobile 3D audio recording system compatible with any mobile device—won the Audience Choice Award; Suzanne Shugg of Teleplus Healthcare, offering global chronic care management to providers, was a close runner-up.