A trash valet startup won the latest Swim With the Sharks competition

This week, the 6th Emerging Enterprise Center Entrepreneurial Summit took place at Wilmington’s Penn Cinema, and it was a great day of panels and networking capped off by one of our favorite annual events: Swim With the Sharks. The five finalists pitched to both judges — Sarah Crawford, Jet Phynx, Michelle Washington and Amy Johnson — and a packed theater.

Only one could take the $10,000 grand prize. This year’s winner was The Trash Porters, founded by Christopher Boozer. The prize money will have an immediate effect on the company, as it will subsidize the remainder on a much-needed truck for daily doorstep trash pickups at client apartment complexes. Advisors for The Trash Porters include Lindsey Pennington (Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation), Bryce Fender (Launcher), Pedro Moore (True Access Capital) and Eric Smith (Launch Point Labs).

In addition to the cash, the top prize includes one year of membership in the Emerging Enterprise Center Virtual Incubator Program, one year of New Castle County Chamber of Commerce (NCCCC) membership and an NCCCC marketing package.

The runner-up is Droneiversity, whose founder Ashlee Cooper has plans to expand her drone pilot training program and youth drone soccer team.

The People’s Choice Award went to RestoreMD, founded by Dr. Kimberly Rogers. Sleeping Bird Donuts and Needle Wielders also made it to the final round.