Richmond, VA-based EqualityMD, Inc. came out on top—and took home a check for $10,000—at last night’s 12th annual Big Launch Challenge (BLC) at the NC Biotechnology Center in RTP. Cary-based Citrus Oncology won second place and a $5k prize.
A total of 10 startups (five of which hail from the Triangle) competed in the contest in front of a panel of judges who represented multiple investor groups from across the nation. The pitch contest is a signature annual event held by The Launch Place (TLP), a VC investor based in Danville, VA, with a second office in RTP. TLP’s CEO and President Eva Doss started off the event (we’ve previously hosted her on The Friday Nooner), followed by a keynote from Pat Gouhin, CEO of the Angel Capital Association.
Over the last 11 years, TLP has awarded over $200,000 to 21 companies as part of the Big Launch Challenge.
This year’s presenters were given eight minutes to tell their stories, followed by a five-minute question-and-answer session with the judges, some of whom represent angel investment firms across the Southeast.
EqualityMD’s Founder and CEO Justin Ayars pitched his startup’s LGBTQ+ inclusive telehealth and data analytics platform. This solution not only enables marginalized LGBTQ patients to enjoy culturally competent care, but also generates actionable, AI-powered insights to help advance healthy equity at the systemic scale.
Co-Founder Dr. Afreen Shariff—who is also an Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine—took the stage for Citrus Oncology, which is a virtual multi-specialty clinic focused on managing side effects from cancer treatments. They aim to enhance treatment adherence, improve patients’ quality of life and reduce total healthcare costs by addressing organ-specific toxicities.
Here’s a look at the other startups that competed at the event:
- Fafabiotic is a Cary-based bioformulation and bio-cosmeceutical company that ferments and formulates a target probiotic to be infused in skincare products.
- Herndon, VA-based 3D Orthobiologic Solutions develops customizable, 3D-printed scaffolds for repairing and regenerating bone in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Their platform provides an easy-to-use and biodegradable scaffold that will replace and outweigh existing products in speed and quality.
- Theralinq is a Raleigh-based healthcare technology company, dedicated to enhancing coordinated care between families and pediatric therapy providers. Their mobile app empowers families to take charge of their child’s therapy while enabling providers to streamline patient care management. (We wrote a profile on them in June 2024)
- Described as the “dating app for surrogacy,” Chapel Hill-based Baby Bumps is a web-based application whereupon parents and potential surrogates can post their profiles and match with each other in a transparent and ethical way. (GrepBeat also covered this startup in this July 2024 feature.)
- Ellicott City, MD-based Linshom Medical, Inc. is delivering the first wearable, FDA quality and operating room quality respiratory profile to patients, providing early warning of respiratory problems before it’s too late.
- Data Company One is a Richmond-based company championing sustainable recycling by leveraging technology and data-driven insights. Their innovative flagship product, GreenScanr, could tackle critical environmental challenges when it comes to recycling.
- Also hailing from Richmond, LLAMAWOOD Inc. is the first on-demand delivery platform for the firewood industry.
- Described similarly to MailChimp, but for calendar invites instead of emails, Raleigh-based InviteJet allows brands to send calendar invites as a marketing tool.
Every year for the BLC, TLP also partners with the Angel Capital Association (ACA) Angel University to connect angel investors and entrepreneurs to learn, share and network.
The Big Launch Challenge was the end to an all-day event that kicked off with the Ann and Bill Payne ACA Angel University workshop courses, which provide powerful insights and actionable strategies to make angel investments and startups more successful.
