Boston STEM enthusiast wins $25,000 in Small Biz Salute Pitch Off
22 Août 2018 - 7:45PM
The UPS Store, Inc. and Inc. magazine announced the winner of the
national Small Biz Salute Pitch Off contest at a live event on
August 8 in Detroit. Bryanne Leeming, founder and CEO of Unruly
Studios, won $25,000 and an editorial feature in Inc. Magazine for
her STEM-focused small business.
Leeming’s live presentation at the historic Gem Theatre in
Detroit won over a panel of judges, which included Bravo TV host
Tabatha Coffey, tech entrepreneur Josh Linkner, former NFL
linebacker Dhani Jones, and Inc. magazine executive editor Jon
Fine.
“All three of the finalists demonstrated an essential ingredient
to a successful business – a positive attitude, something that
helps get you through those challenging times,” said Tim Davis,
president of The UPS Store, Inc. “The confidence and enthusiasm
that each finalist brought with them were inspiring, as well as how
each of them incorporated a mission to help people and their
communities. The UPS Store proudly supports the needs of
entrepreneurs and small business owners like these finalists and we
applaud everyone who supports entrepreneurs across our nation.”
The Pitch Off and networking event culminated a contest that
began in April. After more than 2,000 individuals responded to a
nationwide call for online pitch submissions, thousands voted
online to narrow a field of 10 semi-finalists to the top 3
finalists who competed at the live Pitch Off event.
Once this time on stage was complete for each finalist, Coffey
and the three judges deliberated in private to decide on a winner,
Bryanne Leeming of Unruly Studios. The two other finalists, Keitha
Dendy of Home Made Luxe and Megan Eddings of Accel Lifestyle, both
from the greater Houston area, each received a $5,000 prize and a
$250 The UPS Store® gift card. In addition to the competition,
guests participated in a networking reception and opportunities for
prizes and giveaways.
“We judges were forced to decide between three incredibly
inspiring and ferociously talented founders,” said Jon Fine, Inc.’s
executive director of editorial. “That Bryanne Leeming triumphed
over such fierce competition is tribute to her vision, and what
she’s already accomplished with Unruly Splats.”
Unruly Studios blends physical exercise and STEM education with
Unruly Splats, its programmable light-up, electronic floor tiles.
Kids code these programmable floor tiles to create active running
and jumping games. Unruly Splats teach kids the logic of coding and
challenges them to apply STEM skills to the real world, creating
fun games to play with their friends. Leeming intends to use the
prize money to develop hands-on curriculum for teachers to use in
the classroom and in after-school programs.
“Sharing my story with Detroit was incredible – there was an
energy in the room and it was fun to look around and see smiles in
the crowd,” said Leeming. “I was honored to be chosen. We have
worked hard building Unruly Studios for years now, and moments like
these always show us we are moving in the right direction.”
To learn more about The UPS Store Small Biz Salute Pitch Off,
finalists and judges, visit www.theupsstore.com/smallbizsalute.
Event images available for download -
Winners:
https://www.theupsstore.com/Image%20Library/theupsstore/pressroom/_DZP1043.jpg
Finalists with host:
https://www.theupsstore.com/Image%20Library/theupsstore/pressroom/_DZP0989.jpg
Audience networking:
https://www.theupsstore.com/Image%20Library/theupsstore/pressroom/_DZP0298.jpg
About The UPS Store
With approximately 5,000 locations across North America, The UPS
Store® network comprises the nation’s largest franchise system of
retail shipping, postal, print and business service centers. The
UPS Store locations in the U.S. are independently owned and
operated by licensed franchisees of The UPS Store, Inc., a
subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services, products, pricing and
hours of operation may vary by location. For additional information
on The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com.
In 2018, The UPS Store ranked #4 overall in Entrepreneur
Magazine’s Franchise 500 and #1 in the Postal & Business
Centers category for the 28th consecutive year. For information on
franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store location, visit
https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/. Follow The UPS Store on
Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store on Facebook at
facebook.com/theupsstore.
About Inc.
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc.
is the only major brand dedicated exclusively to owners and
managers of growing private companies, with the aim to deliver real
solutions for today's innovative company builders. Winner of
Advertising Age’s “The A-List” in January 2015, and the National
Magazine Award for General Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total
monthly audience reach for the brand has grown significantly from
2,000,000 in 2010 to over 40,000,000 today. For more
information, visit https://www.inc.com/.
Jenny Robinson, The UPS Store
858-455-8846
jennyrobinson@upsstore.com
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