​Our 4th annual high-energy night filled with local startup pitches, real connections, and community-driven impact.

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Every attendee gets the chance to fund founders shaping the future of Palm Beach County. In its first three years, this event brought together hundreds of attendees, helped 9 local founders with thousands of dollars in early-stage funding from the community, and provided critical support at key moments in their business growth.

​Pitches: You’ll get $100 back at the door – these are the ‘Founder Funds’ you'll give to your favorite pitching company(s).

​Meet the Founders Pitching

​Shirah and Michael Benarde, NightCap

​Shirah and Michael Benarde are the sibling co-founders of NightCap, a patented drink-protection scrunchie designed to help prevent drink spiking. After appearing on Shark Tank, they turned a college idea into a nationally recognized brand focused on safety, innovation, and social impact. Together, they’ve helped pass legislation, partnered with major organizations, and built a fast-growing consumer brand rooted in empowerment and awareness.

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​Drew Brasiel, Alternative Horizons Group

​Drew Brasiel is the CEO and Co-Founder of Alternative Horizons Group, a specialized payment processing firm serving high-risk industries including hemp, CBD, telemedicine, and alternative wellness. A Certified Payments Professional and active member of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and Hemp Beverage Alliance Advisory Board, Drew brings deep expertise in payment infrastructure and regulatory advocacy for underserved markets. In just 17 months, AHG has processed over $110 million in transaction volume across nearly 150 merchants with a 95% client retention rate. Drew holds a Master's in Management from the University of Central Florida and is based in West Palm Beach, FL.

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​Nicholas Mohnacky, BundleIQ

​Nicholas Mohnacky is an entrepreneur and technologist who has been a key figure in the area's startup scene since 2013. He established the city's first public-private partnership to support early-stage founders and has played a significant role in the growth and sustainability of the 1909 Foundation. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of bundleIQ, a patented AI platform that converts scattered information into actionable insights, already trusted by Fortune 100 customers and competing in one of the fastest-growing sectors of enterprise technology. A proven builder with a history of taking ideas from zero to revenue, Nicholas combines technical vision with sharp market instincts across all his ventures.

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​About 1909

​Named after the year Palm Beach County was founded; 1909 is Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the growth of Palm Beach County Entrepreneurs, Small Business Owners and Creatives. Offering the critical resources needed to launch, grow and scale their businesses here in Palm Beach County – business education, 24/7 workspace, mentorship, social and networking events and a community of like-minded people who give a damn about building a better tomorrow.

​FAQ's

​What should I wear? The dress code is cocktail attire.

​Will there be food & drinks? Yes! Light bites, cocktails, and mocktails