Innovate Newport Announces Winners of Startup Quick Pitch

Innovate Newport 

513 Broadway Suite 218 

Newport, Rhode Island 02840 

401.302.3370 

www.innovatenewport.com

Innovate Newport Announces Winners of Startup Quick Pitch 

Newport, RI-  

October 26, 2021 

Innovate Newport, a modern coworking space in downtown Newport, hosted a Startup Showcase & Quick Pitch on Friday, October 22, as part of Rhode Island’s first ever “RI Startup Week.” A special portion of the event was a live Quick Pitch, sponsored by the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce, where 12 startups each made a 3-minute presentation to the audience, in order to compete for up to $1000 and a local business startup package. From software engineers, to boatbuilders, to designers, to community supporters, all entrepreneurs are established businesses looking to grow. 

First place went to Ian Estaphan-Owen of Jaia Robotics LLC, a Rhode Island based business. Jaia Robotics creates low cost, high speed, micro-sized autonomous aquatic robots that work in pods of up to 20 vehicles. Jaia Robotics is positioned to do what no other system can do in collecting aquatic data from coastal waters up to 100m, estuaries, rivers, lakes and marshlands.  Estaphan-Owen plans to use the prize package to move his office from home to Innovate Newport’s coworking space, and to expand his brand awareness through various marketing outlets. 

Second place went to Salve Regina graduates, Adam Reisberg and Laura Krick of Rent Beetle, a real estate technology company that has created an online brokerage for college students to streamline their housing process. They provide a platform where students can book showings, apply for property, lease their property, and pay their initial deposit.  

“Storytelling is a compelling way to let people know about your business. Each entrepreneur was able to share a little bit about what inspired them, where they see their business heading, and challenges they face” said Mollie Frazer Williams, Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Innovate Newport.  

All Quick Pitch participants received a free day pass at Innovate Newport as well as a free cup of coffee from The Simple Merchant Coffee Shop that is located on the first floor of the building. 

ABOUT INNOVATE NEWPORT 

Innovate Newport is a coworking space and private office provider with the goal of supporting the Greater Newport region as a driving ecosystem for business enablement and innovation. We provide flexible space, access to resources and a collaborative community that allows businesses to thrive. Through our co-working space, business events, strategic partnerships, dynamic programming, and networking, Innovate Newport aims to cultivate a community of collaborators, innovators and entrepreneurs. 

ABOUT THE GREATER NEWPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

The Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce is one of the state’s largest business advocacy organizations, whose mission is to connect, innovate, enhance and advocate for the businesses of Greater Newport. As a trusted and reliable institution for nearly 100 years, the Greater Newport Chamber is a vibrant collective body of the greater Newport business community with nearly 1,100 members representing over 50,000 employees. We work to create valuable strategic partnerships, promote strong economic growth, diversity and prosperity to serve its members and the Greater Newport region.