Entrepreneurs Win $35,000 in Urgent LionCage Pitch Competition
BREAKING: The LionCage Pitch Competition just awarded a total of $35,000 to innovative entrepreneurs at an electrifying event held on November 14, 2025, at the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center in East Whiteland Township, Chester County. This one-day competition showcased 23 entrepreneurs vying for top honors across nine categories, making it a significant moment for emerging businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The competition drew an audience of over 150 business leaders, civic representatives, and investors, all eager to witness groundbreaking pitches. Keynote speaker Michael DiPiano, managing general partner at NewSpring Capital, urged attendees to embrace resilience, stating, “The vast majority of startups fail. You need grit, passion, and the right team to succeed.”
Following the pitches, a fireside chat featured Jen Gilburg, Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for Technology and Entrepreneurism, who emphasized the community’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship. “It excites me to see who is in this room,” Gilburg remarked, highlighting the collaboration among entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and venture capitalists in the region.
The winners of the 2025 LionCage Pitch Competition are:
– **Best of Show ($10,000)**: NoPlex, a Horsham-based app designed to support individuals with ADHD and anxiety, empowering them to thrive in a neurotypical world. Founded in 2023, NoPlex utilizes a sustainable approach to managing daily tasks. Presentation by Matt Canning.
– **Product Market Fit ($5,000)**: NoPlex (again recognized for its innovative approach).
– **Most Innovative ($5,000)**: Airalux, a Philadelphia company with a smart incentive spirometer aimed at preventing post-operative lung complications. Presentation by Josh Freeman.
– **Technology-Focused ($5,000)**: BleedIO Tech, a Chesterbrook-based firm developing commercial applications for a new decentralized wireless standard addressing the $50 billion unplanned downtime issue in IoT. Presentation by Lee Beup.
– **Chester County United Way Social Impact ($5,000)**: Prize Inc., from Wilmington, Delaware, created the Prize app, a personalized growth platform for veterans. Presentation by Dan “PJ” Kohli.
– **Rising Entrepreneur ($2,000)**: Solvis, an Easton company using AI for improved waste runoff management in construction. Presentation by Aveer Chadha.
– **The i2 Award ($1,000)**: MyNextory, a Newtown Square-based B2B SaaS career advisory platform powered by AI. Presentation by Ginny Palmieri.
– **LaunchBox Recognition Award ($1,000)**: MORE, a Philadelphia app connecting young individuals through genuine human interactions. Presentation by Declan Curran.
– **Audience Choice Award ($1,000)**: Script Masterminds, a Malvern-based company offering a board game that teaches programming concepts. Presentation by Om Gagrani.
The winning companies were selected by a panel of five judges, including representatives from Fairmount Partners and Ben Franklin Technology Partners. This competition is the culmination of a series of smaller pitch events, known as “The Road to LionCage,” which gave winners from each session an automatic entry into the main event.
This year’s LionCage has not only showcased innovative ideas but also reinforced the vital role of community support in fostering entrepreneurship. Stay tuned for further updates as these emerging companies continue to make waves in the business landscape. For a full list of participants and more information, visit https://lioncage.greatvalleylaunchbox.com/.
