2024 All-Star Semi-Finals Pitch Competition!

​On January 9th, Be Nimble Foundation, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Elevate Ventures, Sixty8 Capital, joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) Foundation and held its 2024 All-Star Semi-Finals Pitch Competition at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 

Seven Indiana-based entrepreneurs, representing the future of tech and innovation, presented cutting-edge pitches to represent their businesses to 200+ guests in anticipation for the All-Star Pitch Competition during NBA All-Star weekend on February 17th. 

We had the pleasure of jamming out to In-Game DJ for the Pacers, DJ Mystro, witnessing our host, In-Game Emcee for the Pacers Olivia West shine, and receiving opening remarks from Steve Simon, Owner, Pacers Sports & Entertainment. During deliberations we heard a fireside chat between Kelli N. Jones and George Okpamen, PharmD, MBA representing HBCUvc.

Each entrepreneur presented their business for 3 minutes and then answered 5 minutes of questions from judges. These judges include Nassir Criss, (Principal, Sixty8 Capital); Tracy Ellis-Ward (SVP, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pacers Sports & Entertainment); Emil Ekiyor, (Founder and CEO, InnoPower LLC (InnoPower Indy)); Dazayah E. Walker (Investment Portfolio Manager, Quality Control Music); and Carolene Mays (TV Host and Entrepreneur). 

We are proud to cheer on all seven contestants as they move forward to compete in February. Celebration of their hard work tipped off on Wednesday at the Pacers vs Wizards ‘NBA Foundation Night.’ These semi-finalists are Sharod Holmes (holm), Cornelius George (Chuqlab), Jessica Bussert (Bussert Medical, Inc. dba Wave Therapeutics (Techstars Future of Longevity)), Katara McCarty, LSCC (Exhale), Klein Ileleji (JUA Technologies International), Ricardo Rodriguez (KLOTOFY), and Geng Wang (Civic Champs).

Stay tuned as we continue to support these founders' journeys over the next few weeks as they prepare to compete for $150,000 in cash and prizes at the All-Star Pitch Competition Finals during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Be Nimble Foundation article on LinkedIn

Photo Source: @Be Nimble