DUMBO — Five Brooklyn-based businesses will face off this Thursday as they deliver their best pitches for the chance to win $5,000 in funding.
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership will hold the “Makers Edition” pitch contest as part of its Make It in Brooklyn initiative at the WeWork Lab in DUMBO from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The five pre-selected finalists in Thursday’s contest will be Apotheke, Cargo Bike Collective Fabrications, Liddabit Sweets, Mullein & Sparrow, and Oddfellows Ice Cream Co.
For Mohan Kumar, a co-owner at Oddfellows, the funding would help him bring his creative ice cream flavors, like the foie gras drumstick, to more people in Brooklyn.
“We’re committed to Brooklyn and we’re looking to expand in Brooklyn,” Kumar said.
Kumar, 36, said the company is outgrowing its production space in Williamsburg and is looking to open more shops in the borough. He hopes one day he can take sales nationwide.
“Accessibility to our ice creams is part of the goal,” Kumar said.
Thursday’s panel of judges will include Smorgasburg’s Jonathan Butler, Andre Dua of McKinsey & Company, Danielle Gould of Food + Tech Connect, Syed Rizvi of J.P. Morgan Chase and Terry Romero of Kickstarter.
Although the judges will be looking for makers of high-quality goods with a solid local following, it all comes down to the story, according to Romero.
“There is an element of performance in a pitch,” she said. “We’re not talking about stand-up comedy, but a lot of this stuff does take practice.”
Romero said she values entrepreneurs who radiate confidence, but seem real at the same time.
“I’m looking for someone who can say, ‘I really love what I’m doing, this is not my get rich scheme,’” Romero said.
Prizes include $5,000, a month-long residency at WeWork’s Unlimited Commons, a consultation by Kickstarter, and free driving time from ZipCar.
The event will cost $5 for audience members who can participate in a networking session with local startups. Admission includes free beer and snacks.
The contest is part of an ongoing series of business-pitch competitions leading up to next fall's Make It in Brooklyn Summit.
The next pitch contest will be in June.
