Cutting Edge Health Technology Company Wins Tenth Annual Ski Lift Pitch
Surrounded by 12,000-foot mountains, nine startups just had the opportunity to pitch national investors while riding the chairlifts at Taos Ski Valley on Feb. 3 and 4 as part of the tenth annual Ski Lift Pitch event hosted by CNM Ingenuity.
During the event, each startup rode the lift with several investment firms and during the trip up was tasked with providing an overview of their company and explaining what problem they were solving for, or what innovation they were bringing to market. Three startups were chosen as finalists and then each one presented on the main stage for a $10,000 first prize.
This year NeuroGeneces, an innovative health technology company came away with first place. Karen Crow, co-founder of NeuroGeneces, said the company was born from a desire to help her family, who struggled with Alzheimer's and sleep disorders. She found that assessing and monitoring brain function was critical to determining brain health, but noticed that current methods of assessment weren’t being utilized early enough in a person’s life.
With the help of her co-founder Jason Worchel they designed the NeuroInsight and Neurogevity assessment devices that are easy to use at home and can help diagnose brain decline up to two decades before symptoms occur.
Interim Program Director for CNM Ingenuity Lindsay Humphries said the vision and motivations of NeuroGeneces is what set them apart from the other finalists.
“Karen did an amazing job explaining her company's vision and the problem they are working to solve,” Humphries says. “She also highlighted the heart behind the organization and explained their competitive advantage in a compelling way. It was an all-around outstanding pitch, which is what pushed NeuroGeneces over the finish line.”
The two other finalists were Evress, a software platform that helps monitor program implementation for public school systems, and Firescape, a company developing cutting-edge technology that’s paired with artificial intelligence to offer wildfire risk solutions.
Even though NeuroGeneces took home the prize money, Humphries said all the participants left the competition with meaningful connections and a renewed motivation to keep working towards their goals.
“This year's event had a distinct energy—an undeniable spirit of collaboration and innovation filled the room” Humphries says. “I witnessed firsthand the power of connection when one participant walked another competitor across the room to help make a meaningful introduction. Our goal was to make this year’s event a springboard for follow-up conversations and lasting connections, ensuring that every introduction had the potential to spark something greater.”