ALBUQUERQUE, NM—September 14, 2018— Comcast and Comcast Business announced Teeniors, a local startup providing one-on-one technology coaching to seniors, as the winner of the first Comcast Pitch Fest. Teeniors will receive a $10,000 investment from Comcast to expand their business and serve more seniors in New Mexico. Three judges evaluated the Pitch Fest participants: Matt Geisel, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Economic Development Department; Shawn Adamson, Regional Vice President, Comcast Business; and Dhinuka Perera, SXSW Conference Programmer.
Comcast and Comcast Business kicked off the New Mexico Technology Council's (NMTC) Experience IT NM week with the Comcast Pitch Fest on September 11. More than 50 New Mexico startups and companies applied to participate in Pitch Fest earlier this summer. NMTC compiled judges from the local business community to narrow the field to five finalists who pitched live on Tuesday. In addition to Teeniors' $10,000 grand prize, Comcast announced they will invest $1,000 each in the other four companies who participated in Pitch Fest: ABQ Brew, Blush & Whimsy, Solstar Space, and Zhennovate LLC.
Trish Lopez reacts to the news that her company Teeniors won Comcast’s Pitch Fest event.
"Comcast is proud to support the growth and success of New Mexico's technology business sector through our investments in NMTC and the Comcast Pitch Fest. All five of the companies who presented were impressive," said Shawn Adamson, Regional Vice President of Comcast Business. "The passion these entrepreneurs have for their businesses is really compelling. We can't wait to see how Teeniors uses this investment to expand and serve even more seniors."
Trish Lopez pitches her vision of the Teeniors program.Teeniors employs tech-savvy teens and young adults who help senior citizens learn technology through one-on-one, personal coaching. Whether it's a smartphone, tablet, or computer, Teeniors' goal is to empower older adults to connect with their loved ones and engage with their communities through technology, while providing paid, meaningful jobs to young adults. The teens provide personalized, one-on-one coaching in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
"What a gift. We are so grateful for this win and really appreciate Comcast and NMTC bringing this event to New Mexico," said Trish Lopez, founder of Teeniors. "There are a lot of startups and small businesses doing amazing work here, and this competition was a perfect example. Having opportunities for exposure and funding is really helpful and seeing these companies pitch shows all of us a little more about the creativity across our state."
Comcast's investment in the New Mexico Technology Council and Experience IT NM is just one way that the company supports innovation and entrepreneurship year-round. From NMTC, to WESST, to Albuquerque Economic Development, Comcast supports organizations and agencies who are working to create a better economic future for New Mexico.
The Teeniors team celebrates with the judges. From left are Matt Geisel, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Economic Development Department, Shawn Adamson, Regional Vice President, Comcast Business, Trish Lopez, the Teeniors team in yellow, and Dhinuka Perera, SXSW Conference Programmer.
About experienceIT
experienceIT! is the premier technology showcase, held annually and featuring a series of events highlighting and celebrating the technology sector, and providing professional development and networking/collaboration opportunities for public and private sector entities.
About Comcast
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation's largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the XFINITY brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the XFINITY brand. NBCUniversal operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About Comcast Business
Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by a next-generation, advanced network, and backed by 24/7 technical support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation's largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing provider of Ethernet services.
For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.
Contact: Julianne Phares/ 505-218-0961 Julianne_Phares@cable.comcast.com