Sports- and fitness-focused social media startup Train With Us won Halifax startup hub Volta’s quarterly Virtual Pitch Competition on Wednesday.
Founded by athletics entrepreneur David Rafuse, who holds a degree in kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University and owns personal coaching business Blended Athletics, Train With Us will eventually be a website and app that lets users create or join communities and organize groups for in-person events, like runs or fitness classes.
Rafuse, along with the founders of five other companies, delivered three-minute pitches and received feedback from a panel of judges. Presenters were graded on the quality of their presentations, rather than their companies, because the event was aimed at giving early-stage founders a chance to refine their pitching skills.
“(Pitching) was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” said Rafuse in a social media post. “I look forward to officially launching the ‘Train With Us’ platform/app in the months to come!"
Here’s a look at the other startups that pitched:
Halifax and Bain-Saint-Paul, Que.
Gab Grenier, CEO and Jonah Larsen, CTO (pitching)
BSKL develops AI plugins for video editing software, giving users the ability to incorporate new AI technologies into their work without the cumbersome process of having to transfer their files between programs.
The Directeur
Halifax
The Directeur is developing software to automate parts of the legal and tax compliance process for the rest estate sector.
SkillConnect
Halifax
Tobi Towoju
SkillConnect is developing an AI-based digital learning and upskilling platform for professionals, with step by step guidance and the chance for users to practise with real-life scenarios.
Halifax
David Krish
SpeechMD is developing interactive AI transcription software for doctors and veterinarians.
Hussain Abdullah
Nova Scotia
Sayfaya is an on-demand car cleaning service that will travel to the customer’s doorstep.
