News Summary
The No Boundaries Startup Pitch Contest held in Aiken saw local entrepreneurs showcasing their innovative ideas. Dr. Valencia Belle won the contest with her affordable test prep service. Other notable prizes were awarded to companies focusing on pool technology and handmade crafts. The event highlighted the entrepreneurial spirit in Aiken, fostering collaboration and support for budding businesses.
Aiken
The No Boundaries Startup Pitch Contest concluded on April 23, 2025, at the Amentum Center for Performing Arts, showcasing the innovative spirit of local entrepreneurs in Aiken. Dr. Valencia Belle, the CEO of S.C.H.O.O.L.S., emerged as the winner, securing a $10,000 prize for her company, which provides affordable standardized test preparation services aimed at helping students qualify for financial assistance.
Dr. Belle’s services have proven effective, with students completing S.C.H.O.O.L.S. preparation courses experiencing average score increases of five to ten points on the ACT and 100 to 200 points on the SAT. This performance enhancement reinforces the significance of accessible educational resources in improving student outcomes.
In addition to Dr. Belle’s win, Garrett Stigall, co-founder of Pool Protection Technologies, took home the second-place prize of $3,000 for his invention, S.A.M. This device employs ultrasonic technology to inhibit algae growth in swimming pools, significantly reducing reliance on chemicals by approximately 70%. S.A.M. operates on batteries and offers an optional solar panel for energy efficiency.
CraftedCV, a handmade craft business, claimed the third-place position in the contest, receiving a $2,000 prize. In another notable achievement, GreenCape Health won the South Carolina Research Authority prize of $5,000, recognized as the standout business from South Carolina. This accolade highlights the competitive nature of Aiken’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Among the young entrepreneurs at the contest, 14-year-old Maycie Moore from Mead Hall Episcopal School was awarded a $500 scholarship for her business, MM Creations. Moore specializes in jewelry-making, creating kindness-themed graphic shirts, and hosting birthday parties for children to make their own bracelets, demonstrating the potential for young talent in Aiken’s business community.
The event began with a VIP breakfast at Newberry Hall, allowing attendees to network and support the budding entrepreneurs prior to the pitch presentations. The competition was organized by a collaborative team including representatives from the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, VentureSouth Aiken, Make Startups, Western SC Economic Development Partnership, and the South Carolina Research Authority. Wells Fargo served as the grand sponsor of the event.
The format of the contest not only featured a panel of judges, which consisted of notable community leaders, but also included a unique interactive element for VIP attendees who were given the opportunity to vote for their favorite presentations. The event concluded with participants posing for a group photo alongside the judges and emcee, Eric Parker, marking a celebration of entrepreneurship in Aiken.
The No Boundaries Startup Pitch Contest serves as a testament to the entrepreneurial potential within the region, aiming to cultivate the local business ecosystem and promote Aiken as a favorable location for emerging businesses. This initiative reflects a commitment to empowering local innovators and enhancing economic development within the community.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Aiken Chamber of Contest Pitch Contest
- Columbia Business Report: Savannah River Site in Aiken Starts Project
- Business Insider: American Idol Second Place
- Post and Courier: Henry Middleton DAR Chapter Honors Good Citizens
- Modern Tire Dealer: Bridgestone Names New Leaders at Aiken County Plants
- Wikipedia: Aiken, South Carolina
- Google Search: Aiken Chamber of Commerce
- Google Scholar: Aiken education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aiken
- Google News: Aiken business
