WASHINGTON, March 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced the winners of the 2016 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge, its nationwide business competition to highlight innovative products and services created and launched by cutting-edge entrepreneurs.
In making the announcement, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet said: "SBA created this challenge to empower women in the face of ongoing gender inequities in the technology and investment sectors. Women venture capital partners are stuck below 10 percent. The amount of venture capital funding that goes to women entrepreneurs is even lower — only about 4 percent. On behalf of SBA, I congratulate all of our winners and contestants. Their incredible talent is proof that America's small businesses and entrepreneurs are launching and growing businesses that not only disrupt the status quo but have the power to improve countless lives."
The second round of the InnovateHER Business Challenge began in August 2015 and drew nearly 2,000 competitors. Today's live pitch competition took place before a panel of expert judges that included Nely Galan, JJ Ramberg, and Lisa Price.
The following winners were selected after the live pitch competition of the 2016 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge and took home the top three prizes, totaling $70,000, provided by Microsoft:
1st Place - $40,000 award winner
Elizabeth Caven from UpCraft Club, Des Moines, Iowa
2nd Place - $20,000 award winner
Dawn Dickson from Flat Out of Heels, Miami Beach, Fla.
3rd Place - $10,000 award winner
Dr. Agnes Scoville from Scoville & Company (Pacidose), St. Louis, Mo.
Other finalists:
Today's pitch competition was followed by Women & Business: An Atlantic Exchange, a national symposium in association with The Atlantic, allowing women-owned small businesses to explore and learn about available tools and resources, to identify the keys to promoting entrepreneurship, and to make connections to other successful women entrepreneurs. The event highlighted the skills, strategy, outlook, and connections women need to own and run profitable businesses.
Additional information on the competition challenge, including host organizations, competition rules, and video of the event will be available online at www.sba.gov/innovateHER.
Cosponsorship authorization No. 15-6050-169. SBA's participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products, or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Contact: Miguel Ayala (202) 205-6420
Internet Address: www.sba.gov/news
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Blogs
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110909/DC65875LOGO
SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration
Share this article