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The Austin Young Chamber, in collaboration with the City of Austin announces four finalists for the 2019 [Re]Verse Pitch Competition. The [Re]Verse Pitch competition awards social entrepreneurs $20,000 in Innovation prizes for the top ideas using discarded materials from existing businesses to create new products or services.

The competition is designed to inspire profitable new ventures while keeping materials out of landfills. Using byproducts for a new business creates jobs, improves the local economy and helps the City achieve its goal of reaching Zero Waste by 2040.

The fourth annual [Re]Verse Pitch Competition launched February 26 when the four finalists and more than 150 other social entrepreneurs and members of the public gathered to hear pitches from Austin businesses and nonprofits.

Materials up for grabs included: grape skins, polyester napkins, plastic sheets, office chairs and cold shipping containers. More information about each of the materials and a video recording of the first event is available online at ReversePitch.org. Since the opening pitch, entrepreneurs have been working with mentors and advisors to craft and refine their business ideas for byproduct repurposing. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges, who considered the business venture’s viability, sustainability, economic and social impact.

The 2019 Finalists are:

Seed Stage

  • Polymart, Shattering the Glasses Ceiling by Anjali Sridharan
    • Repurposing polycarbonate plastic dye-cut sheets from HID Global into eyewear
  • GreenBinder by Krishna Halaharvi and Nautasha Gupta
    • Repurposing polycarbonate plastic dye-cut sheets from HID Global into a polymer binding solution for asphalt

Growth Stage

  • 3D Printing From Trash by Re:3D
    • Repurposing polycarbonate plastic dye-cut sheets from HID Global into 3D printed furniture, art, and other items
  • Napkinz- A Fun Line of Sleeping Pillows for Kids by K&T Manufacturing
    • Repurposing polyester napkins from JOSCO Products into children’s pillows

To win, entrepreneurs will need to effectively deliver their pitch at the finale.

  • Final Competition: Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Capital Factory, Voltron Room – 701 Brazos St.
  • The public can learn more and RSVP here.

Two Innovation Prizes will be given out at the finale. Both the Seed Stage (new or pre-revenue business category) and Growth Stage (existing business category) winners will receive a $10,000 cash prize, plus in-kind support including legal, incubation, promotional, co-working and coaching services. Audience members will have a chance to vote for their favorite idea to receive the People’s Choice Award honorable mention.

The [Re]Verse Pitch Competition is a collaboration between the City of Austin, Austin Young Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development, and UT Herb Kelleher Center for Entrepreneurship, Growth and Renewal with additional support from a wide variety of community partners. Learn more at ReversePitch.org.

 

 

About the Circular Economy Program.
Two City of Austin departments, Austin Resource Recovery and the Economic Development Department, have teamed up to launch the Circular Economy Program. The program’s mission attract, retain, and grow businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs in the zero waste industry in order to create well-paying local jobs, attract investment, and support the necessary infrastructure for a resilient circular economy in Central Texas.

About Austin Resource Recovery
Austin Resource Recovery provides a wide range of services designed to transform waste into resources while keeping our community clean. Services include curbside collection of recycling, trash, yard trimmings and large brush and bulk items; street sweeping; dead animal collection; household hazardous waste disposal and recycling; and outreach and education. Austin Resource Recovery offers free, voluntary and confidential consulting services to help Austin businesses reduce waste and comply with the City’s recycling ordinances. In December 2011, the Austin City Council approved the Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan, which is the City’s road map to Zero Waste. The City of Austin is committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to area landfills by 90 percent by 2040. Learn more at austinrecycles.com.

About the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce
The Austin Young Chamber promotes the general economic interests of the Central Texas business community through initiatives and efforts designed to build and strengthen our young professional workforce. Connect with the Austin Young Chamber on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, or check out upcoming programs at austinyc.org.