By Mateo Osorno
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute (ENI) at Georgia State University recently hosted its annual Demo Day in honor of the companies participating in the current cohort of the Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund. This event is dedicated to fostering and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship within the community at large. This year’s event, held on Thursday, Oct. 19, was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse group of innovative entrepreneurs, dedicated judges, and sponsors who made it all possible.
The Founders and Their Ventures
Cohort 4 Founders of Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund
The heart of Demo Day lies in the promising startups that participate. This year’s cohort consisted of twelve outstanding companies, each with a unique vision and purpose. The founders and their ventures represent a diverse range of industries and ideas, showcasing the depth of talent and creativity within the entrepreneurial community.
From the main stage area at Center Parc Stadium’s Club Level, the following awards from each category were handed out:
In the Product/Tech category:
First Place and People’s Choice awards went to LetMeDoIt, founded by Angad Sahgal and his father, Amit Sahgal. They took home $6,250 as their cash prize. Their innovative decision-making app is designed to empower individuals with disabilities to take control of their lives, exercise autonomy, and interact with society. Their mission is to provide accessible tools to foster independence and self-worth.
1st Place | Product/Tech – LetMeDoIt.org
Second place award went to Mission2Motivate, founded by Nigel Stewart. He took home $3,000 as his cash prize. His education platform aims to create a comfortable space for students, allowing them to excel academically and develop essential skills. They stand out with unique course offerings and tutoring opportunities.
In the Retail/Service category:
First Place Award went to Culturally Relevant Science (CRsci), founded by Meagan Naraine and Tamir Mickens. They took home $6,000 as their cash prize. CRsci is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing innovative and inclusive STEM education for all students, with a special focus on underrepresented communities. Their commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM education is making a significant impact on future generations.
1st Place | Retail/Service – Culturally Relevant Science
Second Place and People’s Choice awards went to Java Cats, founded by Hadyn O’Hara and Zoe Hughes-Nelson. They took home $3,250 as their cash prize. Their passion for animal welfare and their dedication to providing coffee and baked goods for furry customers won the hearts of the audience and judges.
Sponsors and Judges
Demo Day 2023 would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Bank of America, the Marcus Foundation and Alumnus A. Bozer (’83) for their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. We extend special thanks to our First Place Awards Sponsor, FanDuel, for their invaluable support.
The success of Demo Day hinges on the expertise and dedication of our esteemed judges: Avoilan Bingham, Tamara Brown, Rahim Charania, Mel Clemmons, Baheeja Crumbley, Kerel Fryar, Don Hunter, Cade Joiner, Shelvin Mack and Morgan Phillips. Their expertise and discernment were instrumental in determining the winners. To read more about our esteem list of judges, visit here.
We must also recognize the extraordinary founders who brought their innovative ideas to the stage. Each one of them contributed to making Demo Day 2023 an inspiring and memorable event. Their passion, drive, and unwavering commitment to their ventures are a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit. Read more about all 12 Cohort 4 companies.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in making Demo Day 2023 an event to remember, and we eagerly anticipate the promising future that lies ahead for these remarkable startups.
The MSESF business accelerator program has received global recognition and is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Specialty Award for Most Innovative Program from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA), the Excellence in Student Engagement in Entrepreneurship Award from the annual Deshpande Symposium for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education and the Award for Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC).
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Institute exists to help you develop your ideas, build your business, and seize opportunities. Visit eni.gsu.edu to find out more and start something at Georgia State.
Photography by: Alexander Cole Acosta
