Co-written with Chloe Nordquist
From event space rental platforms and tamales to gift giving and LOL, twelve startups presented their businesses at the sixth Seed Spot Demo Day at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Phoenix and competed for cash prizes, consulting services and free rent to help build their companies.
The big winners included Humor Writes receiving $25,000 cash and Lucy’s Garage with $30,000 as part of the véndeme tu sueño competition. Check out the initial reaction from the founder of Humor Writes after she won below.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/2xdkh8y_XZw[/youtube]
Humor Writes wins
The twelve presenters and prizes include:
Yardhop – The AirBnB for private space rentals. PRIZE: Six months of office space at Seed Spot
Happy Place Essentials – A product line that facilitates conversation and supportive environment for kids through aromatherapy sprays. The company focuses on creating conversation about anti-bullying. PRIZE: $5,000 product shoot package
Happy tamales – A company that makes gourmet tamales to help end the cycle of domestic violence by reaching out to victims, providing training and employment in how to make tamales, and selling tamales to businesses. To date they have sold 10,000 tamales! PRIZE: One year membership at Local First Arizona
Behelper – A tool to create actionable energy data for a company’s building, The platform allows someone to figure out payback, aid in the design process, and overall help companies become more eco-friendly. PRIZE: $10,000 scholarship of a year of sales training and coaching
Birdytell – A gifting app that focuses on people and meaningful gift giving. The company connects people to each other so friends can share wants and send gifts easily. To date the company reached 10,000 gift uploaded to a want list. PRIZE: $8k scholarship for role definition and behavioral benchmarking service
Fitfocus – An online platform that brings people together that are having the same struggles in life by helping them find a path to wellness through community. They capture your story, connect with a community and hold you accountable to your victory as well as provide complete fitness plans. PRIZE: $1,500 scholarship for 4 hour UX consulting
Primary Book Club – A subscription book company that sends age appropriate books to their doorstep. The company is now shipping to 16 states and working with organizations to provide books to those who need assistance. PRIZE: $2,500 scholarship for conference of choice & $5k audience impact award
*Humor Writes – A company focused on using comedy to create a curriculum that’s both artsy and rigorous in the after school market. They have partnered up with local comedy clubs to perform their lessons. The company is working with 140 students next semester from around the Valley. PRIZES: $25,000 nonprofit cash prize & 10 hours of nonprofit consulting
*Lucy’s Garage – A platform that connects mechanics with customers based on what you need. The customer can choose the mechanic based on price, time, and location. PRIZE: In partnership with véndeme tu sueño: $30,000 media package & $2.5k cash price
Commun.ity – A platform that builds community within neighborhoods by connection neighbors to help each other with tasks. The purpose of the platform is to support and connect as well as create stronger communities. The company is piloting in three local neighborhoods. PRIZE: $2k scholarship for a 2-day quick start training
Maingo – An app that provides on-demand delivery service for college students by college students. It’s their goal to help create jobs for students and help them reduce college debt. The company is beta testing at ASU Tempe campus. PRIZE: $1,000 scholarship for marketing and graphic consulting
Other awards:
Community Partner of the Year – Ernest & Young
Content Expert of the Year – Steve Stingle
Mentor of the Year – David Wachel
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