2021 PitchFork Challenge

  • Kevin Dremel of Jack’s Crackers, Jack’s Crackers products are based on the idea that a cracker is a lot like life.  It may be simple, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Based in Keene, New Hampshire, our crackers are hand-made in small batches with natural, GMO-free ingredients and are preservative-free. {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Winner, Rural Small Business Track}
  • Paul Bemis of Air Cleaners Inc., Air Cleaners Inc designs, develops, and supports HEPA-based Portable Air Cleaners. Experts in the fields of indoor airflow using advanced CFD (Computational Fluid Mechanics) modeling techniques developed their unique patent-pending design. {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}
  • Megan Lafaso Hercher of the Sullivan Country Store, The Sullivan Country Store will be reopening in the fall of 2021. New owners, Megan and William Hercher are working towards ensuring that place-making visioning in the rural community of Sullivan occurs. The store will be a place for the community to come together, there will be all the hallmarks of a traditional country store, with the modern conveniences of the present. {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}

“The Pitchfork Challenge supported our soon-to-be open business by giving us a platform to speak to our business in a streamlined & focused way. The challenge itself took us out of our comfort zone, pushed us to network differently with our community, & although we did not win the prize money, we were given access to a myriad of opportunities that we couldn’t be more grateful for.”

  • Jessica Hipp of WayAround, WayAround is a smart assistant that lets people with blindness and vision loss know more and do more. Using a mobile app and smart audio labels, WayAround provides detailed, relevant information about specific places and things {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}
  • Blake Amacker of Copper Cannon Distillery, Copper Cannon Distillery is an award-winning, family-owned, premium rum distillery that hand-crafts spirits for people that appreciate outstanding quality. {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}
  • Patrick Ericson EH&P Green , EH&P Green is a zero-emission lawn care company dedicated to providing ethically and environmentally responsible lawn care at an affordable rate. {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}
  • Michele Chalice of Healthy Home Habitats, HHH offers affordable, environmentally-friendly landscape design, co-gardening assistance, fun, family growing projects and home resource efficiency options. We make it easy to be an environmental steward in the Monadnock region with a beautiful, economical landscape and efficient home. {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Semi-Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}
  • Leanne Horvath of Highlife Homestead, Highlife Homestead is a humane hatchery specializing in heritage dual-purpose breeds for homesteaders and hobbyists alike. {September 2021 PitchFork Challenge Semi-Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}

2020 PitchFork Challenge

  • Linda Rubin of Frisky Cow Gelato creates the best tasting, highest quality, artisan gelato made from 100% NH milk and cream, and flavor ingredients sourced as locally as possible. {September 2020 PitchFork Challenge Winner, Rural Small Business Track}

“The PFC helped us to further hone our business plan for scalability. The focus on pitching to investors helps you remain focused on what really matters as you work to grow a business – financial viability, margins, growth funding and mire. The prize is a great motivator but the real gifts of the program are: access to experts in business development, community exposure and engagement, and growth of a network of fellow entrpeneurs.”

  • Wangene Hall of Global Village Foods is a small family business from Vermont creating ready-to-eat meals with bold African Favors. {September 2020 PitchFork Challenge Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}

“I’ve learned that it’s okay to start from who you are and build a community around that.”

  • Chris Dubriske of Lumen Mesh manufacturers modern lights that are tunable and wireless, focusing on circadian rhythms. {September 2020 PitchFork Challenge Finalist, Rural Small Business Track}

“I would definitely recommend PitchFork Challenge to other entrepreneurs and I hope that other people around the country have some place like Hannah Grimes Center that is helping them.”

  • Steven Savage of Vsquared Guitar Systems, Creating the world’s only volume controlling tremolo bar! Volume x vibrato = TruV
  • Juan Rosario of JuanLove Apparel is the clothing line that reminds you to BE COMFORTABLE, both in who you are and what you wear. Via simplistic fashion, we’re promoting positivity and self-worth with designs that are individual to YOU. {September 2020 PitchFork Challenge, Rural Small Business Track}
  • Margit Foster of Little Lantern Pediatric Sleep Consulting is a guiding light for parents struggling with sleep—cutting through the confusing and often contradictory advice available by giving families step-by-step plans using evidence-based methods and providing support every step of the way. {September 2020 PitchFork Challenge Winner, Idea Track}

2019 PitchFork Challenge

  • Suzanna Kamhuis of TotumVos creates a collagen chew for people who are experiencing bone loss or other collagen loss related health effects. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge winner, startup track}
  • Keith McDonald of NH Tap tests NH public water for homes and businesses and based on the results of the test’s, builds a custom filtration system that will last for five years. They have successfully developed a filtration system for those living in areas that are contaminated with PFOA’s. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, startup track}
  • Albert Diemand of Elm City Compost is a a composting pick up service for homes, apartments, and businesses. Due to their capabilities, their composting service allows for a wider variety of items that can be composted with their services than the backyard compost. They have expanded their services to also include composting for large events such as weddings and organizational events. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, startup track}
  • Andrew Osterman of Patient Precise is the founder of a healthcare technology firm based in Peterborough, NH. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, startup track}
  • David Tanos of Tanosteel is the the founder of a technology firearm security device that is secure, yet the owner can rapidly access the firearm. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, startup track}
  • Georgia Cassimatis of 17ROX is the the founder of a local art studio space in Keene, NH. Her plan is to expand to have an art gallery. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, startup track}
  • Rebecca Dixon of Healing From Foods is importing a superfood caffeine free coffee alternative, Ojoche Tostada. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge winner, idea track}

“A really beneficial aspect was the exposure that it got, we met a lot of really awesome people through that and we actually ended up finding funding through that event.”

  • Oscar Heller of Townward is an online food ordering program targeted for restaurants and cafes in rural communities. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, idea track}
  • Sarah Harpster would like to create an agro-culinary food hub in downtown Keene, NH. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, idea track}
  • Glenn Letourneau would like to create an artisanal cider house in Keene, NH. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, idea track}
  • Virginia Jordan of Derby Herbals has an idea for an herbal supplement for dogs and horses. { September 2019 PitchFork Challenge finalists, idea track}

2019 PitchFork Sping Pitch

  • Todd Kilanski of Winchester Metal Works created the Vehicle Undercarriage Rinser (VUR), to address the extremely high cost for repairing the undercarriage of heavy equipment, due to the corrosion of driving on salt covered roads. This product will help save fire departments, municipalities and others thousands of dollars by extending the life of the equipment. Simply hook the VUR up to your garden hose or water source, turn the water on and drive over the VUR as many times as you’d like in the comfort of your vehicle, staying dry and out of the cold/hot weather. {March 2019 PitchFork Spring Pitch winner}
  • Brenna Morris Luna’s Herbal, offers hands on herbalism workshops empowering people to make their own natural remedies. Through this she’s seen a demand for local medicine and wants to expand her business to provide locally made natural remedies to the Monadnock Region. {March 2019 PitchFork Spring Pitch}
  • Eddie Gomez of Drum believes in strengthening communities and local economies by helping businesses and nonprofits share their story through high-quality affordable video. Based in Peterborough, Drum is a full-service production company specializing in short web-based videos to feature on your site, email, and social media. {March 2019 PitchFork Spring Pitch}

2018 PitchFork Challenge

  • Dan Profitt from Butcher Pete’s Mobile Meat is a mobile butchering business that goes to the customers home or farm to humanely butcher and process animals. By being mobile, this alleviates a great deal of stress on both the animals and their owners.{September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, startup business track winner}
  • Linda Rubin from Frisky Cow Gelato is a gelato company based in Keene, NH that sources the milk for their product from the only existing dairy farm in Keene. They also source their ingredients from other local businesses whenever possible. They provide the best tasting, highest quality, and homemade gelato using only organic milk and fresh ingredients without additives and fillers that can typically be found in national and even regional gelato brands. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, startup business track}
  • Albert Diemand from Elm City Compost Initiative is a a composting pick up service for homes, apartments, and businesses. Due to their capabilities, their composting service allows for a wider variety of items that can be composted with their services than the backyard compost. They have expanded their services to also include composting for large events such as weddings and organizational events. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, startup business track}
  • Heather Holloway from Mill Hollow Works is the co-founder of this unique education business that aims to build self reliance by teaching how to be capable in any situation with any tools and materials. This is taught through courses with such  diversity such as soap making, foraging, preserving, to boat building. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, startup business track}
  • Jordan Scott from Machina Arts is the executive chef of Machina’s newest addition to their business model. Jordan’s extensive background in the culinary world and his experience building relationships with farmers has helped him grow his focus and his perspective to create whimsical farm to table food that delights in the unexpected. Machina will expand into a full event service business with the addition of an executive chef. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, startup business track}
  • Keith MacDonald from NH Tap tests NH public water for homes and businesses and based on the results of the test’s, builds a custom filtration system that will last for five years. They have scussessfully developed a filtration system for those living in areas that are contaminated with PFOA’s. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, startup business track}
  • Katherine and Kimbery O’Neill of the Bundt Sisters want to create a custom cake sister with the goal of creating both gorgeous and delicious custom bundt cakes for life’s celebrations. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, idea track}
  • Juan Rosario of LevelUp has an idea to create an adult aracade in downtown Keene, NH. He would like to appeal to the high school and millennial crowd with fun vintage arcade games and by creating an “escape room” game to appeal to groups. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, idea track}
  • John Anderson of Ragdoll Animation has an idea to use Lidar and virtual reality to scan crime scenes for criminal investigations. Using this technology will help keep the crime scene intact for years to come. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, idea track
  • Brenna Morris of Luna’s Herbal has the idea to provide herbalism education classes for people in the Monadnock Region. {September 2018 PitchFork Challenge finalist, idea track winner}
  • Taryn Fisher of Tashvault Gallery is a 100% digital showcase of contemporary abstract art produced by socially & environmentally conscious artists located around the world. {August 2018 PitchFork Challenge semi-finalist, idea track}
  • Carmen Rivera would like to create a store in Keene, NH  focused on selling vegan products that are beyond food such as vegan clothing, shoes, bags and more. {August 2018 PitchFork Challenge semi-finalist, idea track}
  • Kimberly Kaufman would like to create a store in Keene, NH that focuses on herbal care for medicine, skin and overall health care. She would source from the best national and local brands to carry only the highest quality.{August 2018 PitchFork Challenge semi-finalist, idea track}
  • William Poole from Porter Hill Sweets makes artisanal chocolates and drinking chocolate based on ancient recipes, but with a modern flare. {August 2018 PitchFork Challenge semi-finalist, startup business track}
  • Laina Barakat of Waywayrd Ark Productions is a company is dedicated to telling honest stories through unorthodox methods of filmmaking. With a focus on untold stories, women in the industry, and New Hampshire productions, Wayward Ark Productions offers opportunities to empower both female and New Hampshire filmmakers and students both behind the camera and on screen, sharing narratives that are often overlooked or under-appreciated by an entertainment driven industry. {August 2018 PitchFork Challenge semi-finalist, startup business track}
  • Jarden Roslton of Bordertown Farm is the owner of a hemp farm in Bratteleboro, VT and will extract the CBD oil to sell to others to make products with their oil. {August 2018 PitchFork Challenge semi-finalist, startup business track}

2017 PitchFork Fall Pitch

  • Meg Eldredge from RAYO will create rugged yet sophisticated clothing and gear for the Urban Explorer – stylish gear that fits the small-city still while fulfilling your country lifestyle need.  All products will be made in developing countries, using healthy business practices.  Creating living-wage jobs our employees will be able to cover all basic needs for themselves and their family, have healthcare for their families and start a small savings fund. Working conditions will be safe, nurturing, fair and reliable and we will provide a transparent and conscientious supply chain. {October 2017}
  • Bill Brown from Secutor Solutions, a knowledge management software company, will be presenting plans for expansion and growth. Secutor Solutions provides software and services to minimize cost and time and improve safety for enterprises by helping them collect, manage and reuse valuable experiential knowledge. Their software is used by project teams primarily in the construction, energy and pharmaceutical industries. {October 2017}
  • Drew Bryenton and Jean Marie Roth from Casita Keene (Keene, NH) is a small house development venture.  They seek to purchase centrally located building lots in Keene and construct small (200-400 sqft.), intentionally designed homes that are energy efficient and of high quality. These houses will fill a gap in the Keene rental market for individuals and small families seeking the private enjoyment of a single family dwelling.  {October 2017}

2017 PitchFork Summer Pitch

  • Jon Starbuck and John Kondos for Chesterfield Community Solar (Chesterfield, NH): This Monadnock Sustainability Network (MSN) initiative will assist the  Chesterfield Community Solar, LLC with the development and installation of a community supported solar system. This approach will retain tax, investment, energy and labor dollars in the community while providing access to solar energy for the Town of Chesterfield. {July 2017}
  • Roy Wallen and Gene Garcia for a biotech incubator concept (Keene, NH).  They want to build on the region’s strong heritage in agriculture and access to university research. This facility will take a simple approach to building basic laboratory facilities to support individual researchers, entrepreneurs, and students in their interests in spin out new companies to make Keene a new center for biotech research and development. {July 2017}
  • Darren Mark for Språngchair (Keene, NH & Brattleboro, VT), is a revolutionary new active sitting chair.  Inventor, Darren Mark is seeking funding to grow from a one-man operation & begin scaling the company. Having shipped close to 200 chairs this Spring as a result of a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, he’s hit the pause button on production and marketing, while putting together a plan to start making chairs to meet demand & professionalize the operation. Test marketing during the Kickstarter demonstrated robust demand, with 150 chairs ordered in a frenzied 10 day period last July. {July 2017}

2017 PitchFork Spring Pitch

  • Melissa Thompson for Hyndsight Vision Systems (Peterborough, NH) builds high quality, wireless camera systems for a multitude of uses.  Their cameras are long range, portable, versatile, easy to use, and durable for whatever they’re put up against.  They make life a little safer and easier to literally have “eyes in the back of your head.”  Founded in 2012 they have successfully launched their original wireless camera system and are seeking funding to launch a new product. {April 2017}
  • Jason Garland for kaZING , (Peterborough, NH) is a startup in the On Demand Economy. They provide a one-stop app solution for a locally based marketplace that connects service providers with consumers and businesses. Unlike vertical players in the On Demand Economy that focus on a single marketplace (i.e. taxi service, or dog walkers), kaZING believes the most efficient model puts help of all kinds at the push of a single button.  {April 2017}
  • Hollis McGuire, a guest,  presented information to investors about a new Impact NH Fund she and others have been organizing to encourage more NH women to become angel investors and to provide capital for businesses with women CEOs and/or women represented in the executive team.  {April 2017}

2017 PitchFork Winter Pitch

  • Josh Velasquez for Nuttin Ordinary, a plant-based cheese company, will be presenting plans for expansion and growth. Their products are currently featured at many co-ops and Whole Foods Markets around New England. The company is looking for a new space and equipment to scale up production and is well positioned to in the fast growing plant-based food sector.  {January 2017}

“How we benefited from PitchFork: one, I learned how to confidently get in front of a crowd and pitch my idea to a lot of angel investors… we found one and it helped us grow our company.”

  • Heather Holloway-Smith and Wade Smith for Mill Hollow Works, an experiential learning center based in Alstead, will be joining us to talk about their bold plans to make this region a destination for people who want to the opportunity to immerse themselves in meaningful craft, sustainable living, and using basic tools by engaging in activities like boat building. Mill Hollow is a graduate of our fall Startup Lab and is launching February 2017. They are pitching for support for creative ways to build the workspaces they need to get started. {January 2017}
  • Ash Sheehan with an update on Modestman Brewing.  {January 2017}

2016 PitchFork Fall Pitch

  • Peter Hansel for a second Community Supported Solar array in the region. The first successfully went on line on a roof top in Keene in 2016. The current project is in Marlborough. They are hoping to raise approximately $150,000 through owner investors.  {September 2016}
  • Amanda Littleton for a delivery truck for Monadnock Menus, a distribution hub that aggregates food from 35 farms and delivers weekly to institutional buyers. This is a social venture and Amanda is seeking $75,000 in contributions to the nonprofit Cheshire County Conservation District. {September 2016}
  • Ash Sheehan, for a craft brewery, Modestman Brewing, to bring together beer aficionados and the region’s young community.  {September 2016}