UPDATE: All of the semi-finalists, including the three Indiana University-affiliated founders spotlighted below, advanced to compete in the All-Star Pitch Competition Finals. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Indiana Convention Center from 10 a.m. to noon as part of the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend. Watch the semi-final competition on the NBA’s website.
Bring out the candy-striped pants.
Indiana University will be well represented in a star-studded lineup of startup entrepreneurs competing in tonight’s All-Star Pitch Competition Semi-Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, hosted by the NBA and NBA Foundation in collaboration with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Elevate Ventures, Be Nimble Foundation and Sixty8 Capital.
IU-affiliated founders make up three of the seven semi-finalists vying for the opportunity to participate in next month’s All-Star Pitch Competition, which will showcase the next generation of diverse and innovative tech entrepreneurs in the Hoosier State. The contest will be held in connection with the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend, to be held Feb. 16-18 in Indianapolis.
Representing IU in tonight’s semi-finals event, which will feature entrepreneurs from such key industry sectors as agriculture, social innovation and consumer packaged goods, are:
- Katara McCarty, founder and CEO of Exhale, who is a graduate of IU’s Kokomo campus. Her brainchild is the Exhale App, a digital platform offering tools and resources tailored to uplift, empower and support Black women.
- Sharod Holmes, founder and CEO of Holm, who is a graduate of the IU Kelley School of Business. The first-time founder developed Holm, formerly windw & artis, a custom-made tool to help Midwest creators establish themselves on the Internet.
- Geng Wang, co-founder and CEO of Civic Champs. Civic Champs, of Bloomington, is part of the investment portfolio at IU Ventures, IU’s early-stage venture and angel investment arm. Founded in 2019, the volunteer management and engagement platform is used by dozens of nonprofits across more than 30 states, including Habitat for Humanity, the United Way and the Boys & Girls Club.
This evening’s competition, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., is free to anyone who registers.
The finals of the All-Star Pitch Competition will be a live event on Feb. 17 at the Indiana Convention Center.
According to the NBA Foundation, throughout each level of the competition, participants will receive hands-on coaching and technical assistance, as they compete for total cash prizes of at least $150,000.
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