Meet the 10 pitch competition contenders at DC Startup and Tech Week 2024

For all that’s changed this year at DC Startup and Tech Week — including its name — one thing remaining the same in the annual event’s ninth edition is the conclusion:

A high-intensity pitch competition where the region’s must-watch startups battle for prizes.

On Friday, after five days packed with panels, keynotes, Q&As, demos and plenty of networking with some of the DMV’s most influential tech scene players, 10 companies will put their products before the DC Startup and Tech Week audience and a panel of judges. 

Split between early-stage and growth-stage, a rep from each startup will have 3 minutes to pitch followed by 2 minutes of questions from the judges (to be announced soon), in a bid to win money and in-kind services. 

The victors follow recent winners like GoPursue, Outerly and Upling that also participated in high-profile local programs like Halcyon and DC Tech Studio. Read on to meet the contenders.

DCSTW24 pitch competition contenders

• Veza Innovations, Karen Goodman Maschi, founder and CEO — Creates eco-friendly, nontoxic wellness and parenting goods, including a sit-to-stand convertible high chair 
• HR Geckos, Jay Polaki, founder and CEO — An AI-powered human resources help desk and dashboard with 24/7 support
• Kleenup, Asrorjon Shukurov, cofounder and CEO — A gig-work platform offering on-demand cleaning services, like a Taskrabbit for housekeeping
• DSR (Detach. Sustain. Reverse), Destiny Wesley, founder — An ecommerce platform offering modular, tailored athleisure apparel using sustainable textiles and processes 
• Uplift Geosystems, Daniel Nothaft, CEO — Chemical recycling that makes it more affordable and carbon-friendly to produce the metals used in EV batteries
• The Laundry Basket — Personalized subscription service offering on-demand laundry and other home-organization assistance
• Biodesign Innovation Labs, Gautham Pasupuleti, CEO — Makes medical devices, including a low-cost, portable ventilator called RespirAID 
• Vannadium, Rick Gilchirst, founder and CEO — A cybersecurity company offering secure data processing and transmission using blockchain and DLT (distributed ledger technology)
• EqualityMD, Justin Ayars, founder and CEO — A mobile telehealth company connecting LGBTQ+ people with inclusive doctors and practices
• Smart Machines Lab — Makes a smart cocktail machine and drink maker called MyBar.io, as well as open-source DIY parts to build one yourself 

Peep the week’s full schedule here and get your passes so you can see these companies compete at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Eaton DC.