UPDATE: Entrepreneurs from southeastern Pennsylvania have just been awarded a staggering $35,000 in prizes during the highly competitive LionCage Pitch Competition held on November 14, 2025, at the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center in East Whiteland Township, Chester County. This one-day event showcased 23 innovators vying for recognition across nine categories, drawing in over 150 business leaders and community supporters eager to witness groundbreaking ideas.
The competition, hosted by Invent Penn State LaunchBoxes and the Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n), featured a keynote address from Michael DiPiano, managing general partner at NewSpring Capital. DiPiano emphasized the critical traits for success, stating, “The vast majority of startups fail. You need abundance in grit and passion, and you must find the right teammates.” His insights resonated deeply with attendees, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship.
Following the keynote, a fireside chat moderated by Jen Gilburg, Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for Technology and Entrepreneurism, showcased discussions on the importance of community support in fostering innovation. “It excites me to see who is in this room. It’s not just the entrepreneurs; it’s the community members, venture, nonprofits, all here to support entrepreneurship and innovation in Chester County and the greater Philadelphia region,” Gilburg remarked.
The competition culminated in the announcement of winners from various categories, with NoPlex taking home the prestigious Best of Show award and $10,000. This Horsham-based company is dedicated to empowering individuals struggling with ADHD and anxiety through its innovative app, designed to promote a sustainable approach to daily tasks. Founder Matt Canning presented the compelling pitch that captured the judges’ attention.
Other notable winners included:
– Airalux (Philadelphia): Awarded $5,000 for Most Innovative, recognized for its smart spirometer that helps prevent post-operative lung complications.
– BleedIO Tech (Chesterbrook): Secured $5,000 in the Technology-Focused category for its efforts in solving substantial downtime issues in commercial IoT.
– Prize Inc. (Wilmington, DE): Won $5,000 for Chester County United Way Social Impact, developing an app tailored for veterans’ personal growth.
– Solvis (Easton): Awarded $2,000 as the Rising Entrepreneur, using AI to improve waste management in construction.
– MyNextory (Newtown Square): Earned $1,000 for the i2 Award, promoting democratized professional growth through its career advisory platform.
– MORE (Philadelphia): Received $1,000 for the LaunchBox Recognition Award, connecting young individuals for collaboration.
– Script Masterminds (Malvern): Claimed the Audience Choice Award with a hands-on board game teaching programming fundamentals.
Judged by a panel of experts from organizations like Fairmount Partners and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, the winners were determined based on their innovative solutions and potential impact.
The LionCage Pitch Competition is a culmination of a series of six smaller competitions known as the Road to LionCage, which allowed diverse groups of entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and earn a spot in the main event.
As the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Chester County continues to thrive, this event not only highlights innovative thinking but also reinforces the critical role of community support in fostering successful startups.
For more information about the LionCage Pitch Competition and a complete list of participants, visit https://lioncage.greatvalleylaunchbox.com/.
