Three Capital Region startups will take to the stage and pitch their products or service Shark-tank style at PitchBR next week at Juban’s Creole Restaurant.
The CEOs of Block Lawncare, Hanley’s Foods, and Soldier Fly Technologies will present their businesses to an audience and judges, with the winner receiving a $1,000 prize from the Louisiana Technology Park.
Block Lawncare offers lawn-care service with the touch of a button. Through its iOS and Android app, customers can select the services they want, see prices, set a 3-day service window and pay with a credit card. The company also offers an app that mowers use to fulfill jobs that allows mowers the flexibility to set their own schedule, similar to what’s offered by many rideshare companies.
Hanley’s Foods, which has made salad dressings and toppings since 2012, is looking to bring a new product to market—Bacom Bits, an alternative to traditional bacon bits that are lower in calories, sugar-free and vegan. Bacom Bits are made with mushrooms, oil and cajun spices using a proprietary cooking process. Hanley’s Foods has also started a Kickstarter.
Soldier Fly Technologies aims to research the use of black soldier fly larvae as a source of sustainable proteins for aquaculture and animal feeds. The animal feed produced from the larvae could help address global problems like overfishing, food waste and climate change. Port Allen-based Fluker Farms is collaborating with LSU Entomology to further research into the black soldier fly.
Networking starts at 5 p.m., with pitches beginning at 6 p.m. Networking will resume concluding the event. Those interested in attending can RSVP at pitchbr.org.
