On October 10, local Chicago entrepreneurs gathered at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the 6th annual South Side Pitch Day! At the event, contestants pitched their business to a panel of expert judges, who provided feedback to help both the contestants and the audience learn about the elements of a winning pitch.

This year’s judges featured our very own Andrea Zopp, President & CEO of World Business Chicago, Sherman Wright, Managing Partner, TEN35, Allison Weil, Senior Associate Investor, Hyde Park Venture Partners, and Amy Hermalik, Associate Director, IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship.

Scores on each pitch were based on judge evaluations and audience votes, and the winner(s) received a prize package. This year’s finalists included: 

Wash on Wheels
Full-service, mobile, waterless car wash.

Dinobi Detergent LLC
100% plant-based laundry detergent for both sensitive and non-sensitive skin.

Truckies
Software management and navigation tool for truckers looking for safe, reliable parking rest areas.

Chicago Birthworks Collective
Group of birthworkers (doula) who provide comprehensive non-medical reproductive care from preconception to postpartum focused on people of color throughout Chicago.

Coffee Pops
On-the-go coffee made up of concentrated coffee formed in a dough ball with honey.

Strength Together
Mental health app for high school students that utilizes machine learning and AI.

South Side Pitch Day is hosted by the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement. You can learn more here.

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