Copyright 2024 SPARK

The New Enterprise Forum monthly forum meeting happens on October 19, 2023. The live portion kicks off at 5:00 p.m. at Ann Arbor SPARK with food, drink and networking. Online webinar coverage will begin at 5:45 p.m..

There will be a showcase investor presentation from Josef Hjelmaker, Founder and CEO of Electric Outdoors, after his completion of the NEF coaching process. Electric Outdoors is on a mission to connect people with sustainable outdoor experiences through its portable, solar-powered camping destination system.

There will also be a pitch pit competition among three early-stage entrepreneurs. They will each give a four-minute pitch of their business idea in front of three stellar judges, followed by questions and answers, with the winner receiving a prize of a NEF Business Readiness Assessment.

The judges will be:

  • David Bloom, Executive Director of Pointe Angels
  • Jake McLeod, COO of EXO Freight
  • Tommy Skinner, Senior Venture Associate at Michigan Rise and Red Cedar Ventures

The competitors will be:

  • Brandon Martin, Founder of Reaction Technologies
  • Todd McLeod, Co-Founder of Vaista
  • Eric Niemiec, Founder of QIVIR Digital