WBENC and CAPAX Ventures Announce the 10 Finalists Selected to Pitch in the CAPAX Accelerator Program Event, Smart Tank.
Smart Tank, hosted by WBENC and sponsored by CAPAX Ventures, a subsidiary of Accel Inc., is an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to pitch a product or idea and win cash, free consulting, and the infrastructure of a suite of support around building a brand.
“With over 150 submissions, we saw so many great businesses or ideas. It forced us to be really disciplined in our approach to evaluating each submission based on immediate market viability, and equally importantly, CAPAX’s ability to add significant value to the business. We wish we had time to hear from all the founders; we reviewed so many viable, important, and inspiring solutions. The pitch competition is going to be incredible. There are a ton of meaningful businesses and we can’t wait to meet the founders!” – Tara Abraham, Chairwoman of Accel, Inc.
The CAPAX Accelerator program is partnering with inventors to provide immediate infrastructure and support around great ideas. With facilities and technology in place to operate a business and a team with deep experience in branding, marketing, sales, finance, customer experience, and supply chain, CAPAX instantly turns your product into a company.
The CAPAX thesis is that too many people secure funding but then are forced to burn through it on risky and non-growth activities. By showing up with a blend of cash and (more importantly) infrastructure and support, CAPAX helps brands grow more faster and more efficiently.
All WBENC-Certified WBEs and female founders were invited to apply for the Smart Tank event, which consists of a live virtual pitch competition on Tuesday, March 30 during the WBENC 2021 Focus on the Future event series.
Winners will receive:
- 1st place: $20,000 value including a $10,000 cash grant, professional consulting services most beneficial to your business, and where there is a good fit, there could be a potential investment with CAPAX Ventures.
- 2nd Place: $5,000 value including a $2,500 cash grant and professional consulting services.
On April 9, a panel of judges from WBENC and CAPAX will announce the winners via video message!
Lucinni Bailar
CEO, Bailar LLC
Started in 2008 competing with Sonicare selling sonic toothbrush. As I grew older, my gum started to recede so I invented this flosser head to brush between the teeth gaps.
Orion Brown
Founder & CEO, BlackTravelBox
BlackTravelBox® hair and skincare products are made for life on the go, with travel friendly packaging and formulations that make packing, carrying (on), and using them simple and easy.
Leah Fanning
Owner / Founder, Natural Earth Paint
Founded by a mom, artist and environmentalist, Natural Earth Paint creates safe, sustainable and high quality art supplies, craft kits and face paints using natural pigments and plant-based ingredients.
Jessica Gore
Founder/President, Tasty Clean
Tasty Clean Flavored Cleaning Spray cleans the items that go in your mouth, naturally. From pacifiers to dentures and everything in-between, we’re here to help you keep it clean!
Stacia Guzzo
CEO, SmartyPits
SmartyPits is the natural deodorant that gives back! Free of aluminum, parabens, phthalates, and propylene glycol, SmartyPits also donates 1% of all sales to breast cancer research & survivor support.
Kate Jakubas
Founder, Meliora Cleaning Products
Meliora Cleaning Products makes and distributes people- and planet-friendly cleaners across the US through our website and wholesale partners. We are a woman-owned, certified B Corp committed to great products.
Elizabeth Race
Owner, Eco-Baggeez LLC
Eco-Baggeez LLC is a mother/daughter team on a mission to do good for the planet while doing good for the people on the planet. Our patented bags accomplish that goal.
Catherine Sitek
President, Human Balance & Stability Systems
Human Balance and Stability Systems developed and patented the first of its kind balance support to address pain and fatigue humans experience while standing.
Carol Starr
Owner/Inventor, Duette Razor Inc
We are a brand new company with an idea currently being reviewed by the U.S. Patent Office. My idea is a new revolutionary personal razor and grooming product.
Susan Thompson
Founder – CEO, SaniGirl
SaniGirl is a brand committed to female health and empowerment. Our goal is to make personal care product solutions that improve women & girls lives on the go.
