Bridging Fashion & Beauty Innovators — Virtual Pitch Competition v3
Bridging Fashion & Beauty Innovators — Virtual Pitch Competition
From Concept to Catwalk: Empowering the Next Wave of Fashion & Beauty Tech
This online gathering is designed for founders, funders, technologists, and community builders in the fashion and beauty tech ecosystem. Our mission: foster collaboration, spotlight emerging startups, and unlock pathways for innovation and investment.
Agenda
11:00am (Virtual Lobby Opens): Registration & Networking
11:10am: Opening Remarks by Host & Partners
11:15am: Live Startup Pitches--5 fashion and beauty tech founders present their companies to a panel and audience
Each founder: 5-minute pitch + 3-minute judge Q&A + 2-minute audience Q&A
12:10pm: Audience Voting & Judges Deliberation
12:20pm: Winner Announced & Closing Remarks
12:25pm: Post-event Networking Lounge
Event Summary & Goals
Fashion and beauty are undergoing rapid transformation through technology: AI-driven personalization, sustainable materials, virtual try-ons, and social commerce. This competition brings together trailblazing founders, investors, and collaborators to:
Celebrate innovation in fashion and beauty tech
Connect early-stage ventures with funding, mentorship, and strategic partnerships
Cultivate a vibrant, supportive community to scale new ideas and business models
Top startups will pitch for feedback, recognition, and potential investment. The audience will help choose a crowd favorite, while a panel of expert judges selects the grand prize winner.
Who Should Join
Fashion and beauty tech founders and business leaders
Early-stage entrepreneurs working on wearable tech, cosmetics innovation, ecommerce, digital fashion, AI, and retail platforms
Investors, angels, and industry mentors eager to support emerging companies
Creators, designers, and anyone passionate about the future of fashion and beauty
Why Attend
Discover cutting-edge innovations and new brand experiences
Network virtually with talent from across the global fashion and beauty tech ecosystem
Access partnership, investment, and mentorship opportunities
Shape the future of tech-enabled beauty and fashion—your vote and voice matter
Logistics & Attire
Platform: Zoom (link sent upon registration)
Dress Code: Business casual, creative flair, or everyday wear—bring your authentic self!
Admission: RSVP required—founders, investors, students, and community welcome
Startups to pitch:
Seamless Accessories LLC
Stage: Pre-revenue
Summary: The world's first zero-waste, AI-driven, autonomous luggage platform.
Fundraising: Raising $250K pre-seed SAFE (post friends-and-family $50K) for final prototyping, manufacturing setup, and launch.
StyleMyCrown
Stage: Pre-seed
Summary: AI virtual try-on for Black hair salons
Fundraising: $150K - Angel round · SAFE · $4M valuation cap
Judges & Moderator
Judge #1: Joe Jasin, Managing Partner, DNA Partners, LLC
Joe Jasin has built a 25+ year international career within the Mobile-Wireless and Digital Media-Technologies industries; participating in the converging commercial industries of the internet protocol -TCP/IP and the associated technology convergence of ecosystems’.
He has been proactively establishing cross-border relationships and presence in the USA and Asia. Presently, Joe Jasin is Managing Director of DNA Partners, LLC an early stage venture investment firm. DNA is sourcing software investments in the infrastructure of 5G/6G mobile/wireless technology.
The portfolio of companies are based in the USA, China and Philippines. Mr. Jasin spends about 20 to 30 percent of his time in Asia. At Polaroid as Vice President of Corporate Development. To source emerging technologies and business models associated with ‘solution sets’ of hardware-software-digital media services leveraging the base of Silicon Valley. To expand general company initiatives in the Asia/China geographic regions Mr Jasin was General Partner with China Mobile Ltd. (Beijing HQ) he worked on a stealth venture capital fund for the ChinaMobile - OPhone ecosystem initiatives.
Mr. Jasin served as Vice President of Corporate Development for SK Telecom, in Seoul Korea. At SK Telecom, his mandate was investments in USA and China. Nationally, in Silicon Valley he was founder and chairman of the Silicon Valley Forum, Inc., in the trenches cultivating a community of software developers from the years 2000 to 2016. Internationally from 2010 to 2017 advisor to the U.S. Department of State; APEC Office of Commerce, working on 5G spectrum allocation alignment between the USA and China/Asia countries.
Joe continually presents and moderates at conferences once per month in the USA and Asia, he has presented at these associations; DevNetwork-San Francisco, TechFashionWeek-New York, Mobile World Congress-Shanghai, MediaMatters/BrandedAsia-Hong Kong, 5G Forum-Philippines. He also has been a TV guest and/or been quoted with these media companies; Wired Magazine, CNBC-USA and Seoul, South China Morning Post, and The Economis
Judge #2: Sam Kenning, Investment Banking Director, Clarke Capital Advisors
As a Director at Clarke Capital Advisors, a transatlantic tech-focused investment banking boutique, I focus on strategic advisory and M&A for emerging and disruptive tech companies. I bring just over a decade of investment banking experience, having previously served as a Vice President at Barclays and Wells Fargo with a focus on the Tech sector. Most recently, I stepped out of banking to serve as CFO of an early-stage startup, gaining valuable operational and fundraising experience. I'm excited to bring both perspectives—advisor and operator-to help founders and companies navigate high-stakes strategic decisions.
Judge #3 Carla
Carla Morton is a serial entrepreneur, executive coach, and champion of small businesses. She began her career as a jewelry designer in New York City before founding Brandhabit, a fashion internet company where she served as CEO and navigated the dynamic early era of digital retail.
Today, Carla embraces a purposeful portfolio life — facilitating transformative programs for the global nonprofit How Women Lead, coaching a select group of high-potential clients, and advising emerging businesses on the path to growth. She also serves as an advisor and donor to Girls Hope Foundation, a nonprofit in Uganda that teaches young women the art of dress design and sewing, equipping them with skills to build financially independent lives. Her work sits at the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and impact, making her a uniquely valuable voice in any room where bold ideas meet real-world execution.
Moderator: Tim Taylor
Tim Taylor is the Director of Business Development for Kranz Consulting which has provided fractional accounting & finance to start-ups and VC’s for 30 years. He’s a Wharton MBA and in the start-up world for 25 years. He’s committed to being of service to the start-up ecosystem and being the best Dad possible for a 25-year-old rock star daughter.
Apply to Pitch
Founders: Want to showcase your startup? Submit your application with a brief overview, traction, and your ask.
Get Involved
For partnership, sponsorship, or judging opportunities: [email protected].
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Let’s build a more innovative, inclusive and beautiful tech-driven future—together.
Sponsored by
Plus Ultra Capital Partners, Ellen Damaso, Venture and Capital Partner