Calling all entrepreneurs! If you’re building a business and have a bold idea that can spark growth, apply to Ledge Light Launch’s first ever pitch competition sponsored by seCTer.

Join us on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at TOX Brewing Co. in New London, CT, for an exciting Pitch Competition designed to spotlight the region’s most promising businesses. Whether you’re just starting out or already making waves, we want to hear your vision. The winner will receive $7,500, one year membership to the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, as well as, other prizes to be announced.

What’s the Opportunity?

The top six applicants will be invited to take the stage and pitch their business idea in front of a live audience and expert panel. Each finalist will have six minutes to present a project that clearly demonstrates how it will drive growth for their business. Think new products, expansions, marketing campaigns, tech upgrades—anything that helps take your venture to the next level.

This is more than a competition. It’s a platform to gain visibility, connect with local leaders, and get feedback that could shape your next big move.

How to Apply

Applications are open now and will be accepted until June 16, 2025. Businesses of all stages and sizes are encouraged to apply—from idea-stage startups to seasoned operations.

Be sure your pitch aligns with the scoring rubric to maximize your chances of being selected!

Have questions? Reach out to kferrero@secter.org for more info.

Tips for a Great Pitch

• Keep your slide deck tight—aim for around six minutes.
• Focus on the impact your project will have.
• Tell a compelling story—what problem are you solving, and why now?
• Practice with someone who’ll give you honest feedback.

Judges

Catherine Young

As Airport Manager for nearly 18 years with the Connecticut Department of Transportation at Groton-New London Airport, Catherine Young was then appointed the first Business Developer for the Connecticut Airport Authority’s five General Aviation (GA) airports. Catherine retired from state service in 2022.

The National Academies of Sciences, Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), which is sponsored by the FAA, appointed Young as ACRP New England Region Ambassador in 2023. She also participates on ACRP project panels to provide overall counsel and technical guidance.

Catherine is a member of the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, the New England Air Museum BOD and the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region BOD. While a corporator for Chelsea Groton Bank, she also serves on the bank foundation board.

From 2013–2020, she volunteered on the Town of Groton Economic Development Commission and was elected to Chair the Commission for its one year rotation.

Ms. Young earned her BA from Connecticut College, and MS with Phi Kappa Phi Honors from the University of Bridgeport. She grew up in Uniondale on Long Island in New York.

Kevin Zhang

Kevin Zhang’s dynamic background in sales, marketing, and business management has shaped a 20+ year career focused on honing his expertise and delivering measurable, impactful results. He currently serves as Community Manager for the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut, where he manages the daily operations of the Chamber’s Regional Innovation Center and its flagship program, the Entrepreneur Academy. He also works closely with the City of New London to support economic development efforts that drive growth and innovation in the region.

Kevin’s diverse experience includes managing the operations of a Rhode Island-based law firm, leading marketing campaigns for a Germany-based metrology technology company, and authoring a guidebook on model building while running international marketing efforts as an entrepreneur. Earlier in his career, he also managed a substantial client portfolio at Mohegan Sun Casino as a Relationship Marketing Executive. His expertise spans business development, digital marketing, and strategic relationship management.

Tom Gerson

Tom Gerson has over forty years of corporate finance, business strategy, and operations experience both with large, global firms such as Celanese, Allied-Signal, Sterling Drug, and Sanofi Pharmaceuticals earlier in his career, and subsequently as CFO & VP of Business Operations of two Connecticut-based privately-held, venture capital-backed emerging life sciences companies spun out of Yale University and then a diagnostics company with commercial operations in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

He has raised over $100MM of Venture Capital / Strategic Partner Funding across these three life science start-ups. More recently Tom was a Startup Advisor with the State of Connecticut’s CTNext economic development program as well as serving as an EIR with UConn’s Technology Incubation Program (TIP). In these roles Tom worked with upwards of 100 clients in advising and supporting such early-stage life science, technology-based companies, often with a focus on their fund-raising initiatives.

Tom currently serves as a Board Member of TECHCONN, a not-for profit organization which assists, and provides seed investments for both science and technology startups in Connecticut.

Wendy Vincent

Wendy Vincent is the Executive Director of the Cultural Coalition, bringing a broad background in entrepreneurship, business development, marketing, communications, and nonprofit leadership. A published author, editor, and owner of both a publishing company and an independent bookstore in New London, she is deeply rooted in the region’s creative economy.

Previously, she served as the Eastern Connecticut Program Director for the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC), where she managed educational and grant programs supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. She has also held roles in corporate marketing, business development, and product management.

Wendy holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Hartford and an M.A. in Liberal Studies from Albertus Magnus, with ongoing MPhil studies in Humanities and Writing at Wesleyan University. Passionate about supporting creative and small businesses and advocating for the arts, she also enjoys reading, gardening, herbalism, travel, and collecting art.

Maria Hanna

President / CEO Survival Systems USA

🗓️ Deadline to apply: June 16, 2025
📍 Pitch Night: June 26, 2025 @ TOX Brewery, New London, CT
📬 Questions? Contact: kferrero@secter.org