Nationwide and BlueVine have selected seven small businesses to compete as finalists in the "Pitch to Win" contest on Oct. 3, 2019. (Photo: Nationwide) Nationwide and BlueVine have selected seven small businesses to compete as finalists in the "Pitch to Win" contest on Oct. 3, 2019. (Photo: Nationwide)

After reviewing thousands of applications, Nationwide and Bluevine have announced the seven finalists for the "Pitch to Win" contest, a competition for small businesses to win $100,000 to support their endeavors.

Each finalist will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Nationwide's headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, where they will present their unique business proposals in-person to an executive panel of judges. The winning business will receive a $100,00 award, with second and third place earning $20,000 and $10,000, respectively.

"Nationwide once started as a small business aiming to provide trusted and fairly priced insurance coverage for America's farmers," Tony Fenton, vice president of underwriting, product & new product development at Nationwide, said in a statement. "All of the 'Pitch to Win' finalists have demonstrated their industry expertise, commitment to growing their businesses and the unique market needs they are serving. We look forward to helping them take the next step with this contest and to partnering with BlueVine to continue supporting America's small businesses."

The finalists include:

  • ActivArmor (Pueblo, Colo.): ActivArmor is the first commercially available, 3D-printed casting and splinting company in the U.S. marketplace.
  • Boolean Girl Tech (Arlington, Va.): Boolean Girl Tech's Boolean Box encourages hands-on STEM-focused play, enabling kids to learn to code, build, invent and animate.
  • Buckle Me Baby Coats (Londonderry, N.H.): Buckle Me Baby Coats make it easier for parents to adhere to NHTSA and American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on safe winter car seat use without taking coats off with its cutting-edge children's coats.
  • Cloud 9 Griptape (Crown Point, Ind.): Traditional skateboard grip tape can limit how skateboarders show their individuality; Cloud 9 Griptape offers unique and colorfully-designed grip tapes to skateboarders.
  • CurlMix (Chicago): CurlMix produces a four-step, non-toxic hair care line for women with curly hair to help them feel beautiful and confident.
  • Sonavi Labs (Baltimore): Sonavi Labs makes AI-enabled digital stethoscopes, remote monitoring devices, supportive apps and a smart cloud system that can analyze body sounds and identify respiratory abnormalities independent of a doctor.
  • TITAN Mixer Bottle (Columbus, Ohio): TITAN Mixer Bottle is a no-battery, no-shake mixer bottle that contains a that has 8 oz. of on-the-go supplement storage, can hold 20 oz. of water, and creates a smooth and consistent protein shake.
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Heather A. Turner

Heather A. Turner is the managing editor of ALM's NU Property & Casualty Group. She can be reached at [email protected].

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