The Big Bet Pitch Competition was a high stakes, live competition featuring tech-informed companies already in existence. Winners are:
1st Place: Achsha Jones, TripSlip, $50K
What is TripSlip? A field trip planning software for teachers. TripSlip automates venue booking, parent communications and logistics.
Backstory: Founder Achsha Jones is a bus driver of 11 years who has driven 3 million commercial miles. She’s also a former employee of the Detroit Historical Museum. The idea for TripSlip came to her after years of seeing firsthand how many students missed paid-for field trips because they didn’t get permission slips signed in time. A year and a half ago, TripSlip was taking off and revenue was climbing, until an injury took her away from her CEO duties. This grant is fueling her comeback.
2nd Place: Matthew Burnett, ‘Round Here, $30K
What is ‘Round Here? A platform helping business owners connect with specialized help, including designers, marketers and engineers. ‘Round Here connects business owners with live workshops where they can see experts in action before deciding whether or not to hire them.
3rd Place: Keith Chaney, Peadbo, $20K
What is Peadbo?
A platform that allows individuals to virtually build their own personal advisory board to fuel their start-up journey. In the same way that larger companies have boards to provide input, expertise and guidance, Peadbo provides individual founders and start-ups structured and automated access to coaching and mentorship.
The Mass Tech Adoption Challenge was a competition geared toward individuals with big tech ideas that address real-world problems and have the potential to be adopted on a mass scale. Winners are:
Ryan Stevens, Digital Reference, $25K
What is Digital Reference? A talent ecosystem ecosystem platform that houses video cover letters, self-recorded accomplishments, and 3rd-party professional references. In other words, Linkedin with a video-first format and an emphasis on verification.
Terranie Sims Clarke, Heart Next Door, $25K
What is Heart Next Door? A HIPAA-compliant, AI-driven platform powered by human love and lived experience — providing a 24/7 village for new and expecting moms. Heart Next Door unifies pregnancy and postpartum support for mothers while enabling providers to coordinate care, track outcomes, and secure funding. It replaces fragmented tools with a single, intuitive solution.
Chris Watson – Edloop, $25K
What is EdLoop? EdLoop is an AI-powered tool that analyzes student work and delivers clear, timely feedback to teachers, students, and families — closing the gap between instruction and understanding. It helps teachers save hours of grading time, gives parents real insight into their child’s learning, and empowers students to own their progress.
