Brandywine LaunchBox holds second annual LionCage Pitch Competition

MEDIA, Pa. — The Brandywine LaunchBox partnered with the Great Valley LaunchBox and the Chester County Economic Development Council’s Ideas x Innovation Network (i2n) to present the second annual LionCage Pitch Competition on Nov. 14. The event highlighted entrepreneurs and innovators across southeastern Pennsylvania.

Hosted at Penn State Great Valley and presented in collaboration with Chester County United Way, the one-day gathering offered new connections and access to inspiring creators and innovators who are transforming their industries and society.

The LionCage Pitch Competition is an event that features pitch presentations from entrepreneurs and startup companies who compete for cash prizes while making new connections and bolstering their recognition. The competition had over 50 applicants and 23 teams who pitched in five rounds. Winners of the Chester County United Way Social Impact, Technology-Focused, Most Innovative and Product Market Fit categories won $5,000; winner of the Rising Entrepreneur category won $2,000; winner of the Best in Show category won $10,000; and winners of the Audience Choice, LaunchBox Recognition and i2n award categories won $1,000.

Category winners were:

• Chester County United Way Social Impact — Winner: Prize Inc.
• Technology-Focused — Winner: BleedIO Tech
• Most Innovative — Winner: Airalux
• Product Market Fit — Winner: NoPlex
• Rising Entrepreneur — Winner: Solvis
• Audience Choice Award — Winner: Script Masterminds
• LaunchBox Recognition Award — Winner: MORE
• i2n Award — Winner: myNextory
• Best in Show — Winner: NoPlex

One Penn State Brandywine student – Luke DeVita – pitched his startup company at LionCage in the fourth round. The third-year business student with an accounting focus pitched his company FidgetKey – a company that makes fidget toys that attach to key rings – with two of his friends.

“I had a great experience with LionCage this year. Applying for it and going through the coaching process with the Brandywine LaunchBox was very insightful. I learned so much,” DeVita said. “The event itself was great as well. It was a great opportunity to network with investors and other business owners and get FidgetKey in front of the right people.”

“LionCage 2025 truly exceeded expectations! The energy in the room was electric — from inspiring keynote addresses and fireside chats to meaningful networking and, most importantly, the incredible teams pitching their businesses to a panel of esteemed judges,” said Tony Mattei, director of entrepreneurship and digital marketing at Penn State Brandywine and organizer of LionCage.

“This event is more than a pitch competition; it’s the foundation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that continues to grow through this showcase.”

Judges for the pitch competition were Annie Hughes of Penn State LaunchBox and Innovation Network, Julie Olley of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Charles Robins of Fairmount Partners, Katie Teuber of Comcast LIFT Labs’ Startup Engagement team, and Chris Wright, Esq. of McCausland Keen Buckman and board chair of i2n.

In addition to pitches, LionCage also featured a keynote addresses from Mike DiPiano, managing general partner at NewSpring Capital and Penn State Brandywine alumnus; Jen Gilburg, deputy secretary of technology and entrepreneurship at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; and Michael Carter, founder and CEO of EMG Worldwide, Inc.

The next LionCage Pitch Competition is slated to be held in November 2026.