“Shark Tank” in Crown Heights

What’s the next big idea to come out of the Jewish community?

4 lucky entrepreneurs from our community will have a chance to pitch their start-up ventures to a panel of experienced investors at Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs’ third annual “Shark-Tank” style event.

The event will give the a limited number of participants a chance to sell their venture to potential investors, with the opportunity to raise between $50,000 -$250,000 in seed money, and the potential to make your vision a reality.

This year participants in the audience are invited to join in the action by participating in a live vote for their favorite start up pitch. The most popular presenter will receive a cash prize for their business aside from the opportunity to receive an investment from the investors.

“Fund It 2” will take place Tuesday, June 9 (22 Sivan), 7:45pm-10pm at ULY Crown St. Large Hall (Albany Ave. Entrance).

This year’s investors are David Schottenstein, Zalmi Duchman, Shmuel Gniwisch, Daniel Wolfson, Eli Nash and a surprise guest.

Eli Nash is Founder and President of JEG & Sons, Inc. Eli has a decade of marketing and fulfillment expertise and the building of synergistic relationships with corporate business partners. Recognized by business partners and colleagues as a consummate professional with a high degree of personal integrity, Eli is known for negotiating resourceful win-win business solutions.

David Schottenstein and Zalmi Duchman have recently formed the Surfside Angels, an investment firm looking to find new technologies and disruptive applications that have the potential to create new markets. They have already had multiple successful investments and continue to expand their impressive portfolio. David brings years of startup experience with Astor and Black (successfully sold to private equity in 2011) and more recently ViewaBill and Zalmi has a proven track record with his successful venture The Fresh Diet (successfully sold to Innovative Food Holdings in 2014) and has acquired a name as a thought leader in the entrepreneurship and start up world with his popular articles featured on Forbes.com.

Daniel Wolfson, President of Logoworks.com, a logo design firm, is a member of OldSlip Group, a New York City based growth equity firm focused on investing in and operating privately held companies. While primarily focused on the technology sector, OldSlip continues to be active in consumer goods, subscription services, and ecologically friendly opportunities. Daniel is particularly interested in private business, including old world business that use technology to blaze new paths.

“I’m particularly interested in finding great people and backing their ideas,” Daniel says.

Shmuel Gniwisch was the founder and CEO of Ice.com. After selling Ice.com Shmuel concentrated on investing in innovative companies. He is particularly interested in businesses that specialize in products or consumer based applications, especially ideas which makes a business or people more efficient.

“When I look at a company,” Shmuel says, “I’m looking for companies with great leadership.”

According to Rabbi Yehoshua Werde, Director of CHYE, “We are making this event to generate opportunity in our community by giving participants the funds and guidance needed to succeed, create a forum for the public to hear the wisdom and insight of these investors, and advocate for entrepreneurship as a career path that our community can follow.”

Event is open to everyone, separate seating, $15 early registration, $20 at the door. To reserve a seat for the event, logon to CHYE.info.

Update:

Industry leading Investor to join Fund It Panel

CHYE has announced the addition of Veteran Angel investor John Ason to its investor’s panel.

John has been an Angel Investor for the past 15 years and has enjoyed the excitement and fast-paced work of the industry. Prior to investing he worked for over 25 years at AT&T, both doing engineering and international business. To date John has made over 70 professional investments, in an eclectic range of industries. For many of these investments I have been the lead Angel. For more on John visit http://www.johnason.com/

According to Rabbi Yehoshua Werde, Director of CHYE, “With the addition of John to the panel we are keeping to our commitment of bringing the highest caliber business resources to our community. John brings years of industry wisdom and knowledge and his insight will enrich all in attendance.”