Savannah SCORE announces ‘BizPitch Savannah’ winners

(L-R) Vanessa Villaverde, Michelle Williams, Stephanie Aiesi, and GeorgAnna Wiley.

Savannah SCORE has announced the winners of the organization’s 4th Annual “BizPitch Savannah” entrepreneurial competition. “BizPitch Savannah” is Savannah SCORE’s kinder, gentler version of TV’s “Shark Tank.” 

On Friday, November 5 at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Center Ballroom, eight aspiring entrepreneurs, selected from a field of 36 finalists, pitched their business ideas to the “BizPitch Savannah™” panel of judges. Three contestants were selected as the winners and were awarded cash and free professional services valued at over $10,000 to help them launch their new businesses. 

GeorgAnna Wiley / Rebirth Holistic Women’s Health

Rebirth Holistic Women’s Health blends mainstream medicine and evidence-based, alternative healthcare into holistic gynecology. The goal is to offer comprehensive holistic care to un/underinsured, marginalized women, and those dissatisfied with mainstream medicine.

Lesli Ott and Vanessa Villaverde / Menther

Menther is a digital platform that helps to empower and advance women globally through mentorship matching and support. A recognized Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) platform, Menther is poised to leverage technology to rebuild the workforce more equitably in a post-COVID world.

Michelle Williams and Stephanie Aiesi / Kidney Innovations, Healthcare Education Reimagined

Kidney Innovations, Healthcare Education Reimagined offers pre-dialysis education based on its signature Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) education program, “Kidney Greenways.” The program uses the latest technology, apps, and interactive platforms to offer personalized education to promote patient engagement and understanding leading to improved health.

“This was one of the most intense competitions to date and our panel of judges did an outstanding job,” Michael Siegel, Savannah SCORE Chapter Vice Chair and Event Coordinator said. 

The members of the ”BizPitch Savannah 2021” panel of judges were: 

Rachel White, VP, Business Banking Relationship Manager, SunTrust now Truist 

Jackie Schott, Executive Director, Savannah Downtown Business Association and First Vice Chair, Ronald MacDonald House 

Mary Githens, Owner, Latin Chicks & Mint To Be Mojito 

Moncello Stewart, President, Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce and Community Activist 

Scott Pierce, Co-Owner/COO, Coastal Care Now; 2020 BizPitch Savannah Winner 

“I love working with business owners,” Rachel White, a “BizPitch Savannah 2021” judge said. “And to be able to be a judge, knowing that I will help someone launch their new business, is an honor.”

Scott Pierce, co-owner of Coastal Care Partners with his wife, Amy, and a winner of the 2020 competition, had a unique perspective this year as a “BizPitch Savannah 2021” judge. 

Pierce said that “the number one thing that my wife and I took away from BizPitch was that it really made us think about our business model. We received a lot of great feedback from the judges and our SCORE Mentor. They really pressed us on real-world, business related issues.”