People's Choice Award at Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition

What an incredible experience at the Emerging Enterprise Center's Swim with the Sharks competition! We’re beyond grateful to be part of such an innovative and supportive Delaware community.

Sindri Materials Corp., led by our founder and CEO, Christopher DiMarco, PhD, is honored to have won the People’s Choice Award! Thank you to everyone who voted and supported us. Congratulations to Ashlee Cooper, Droneversity, for winning the grand prize, and to Wanda Guyton, Coffee Rendezbrew, as runner-up. Special recognition to fellow finalists Diana Taylor (Color + Blow) and Deanna Bledsoe (Kai Coders)—your pitches were inspiring!

A heartfelt thank you to all the judges for their time and consideration: finalist judges Tierra Fair, Margie Crouch, and Jose Lopez, and semi-final judges Sarah Mailloux, C.J. Bell, Deanna Merritt, and Noah Olson.

A big shoutout to Ivan Thomas, THE DETV FOUNDATION, INC.’s Founder and President, for being an engaging Master of Ceremonies, and to keynote speaker Mac Macleod, Co-Founder and CEO of Carvertise, for his insightful words on Delaware’s tight-knit, powerful network.

Thank you to the Emerging Enterprise Center, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware Small Business Development Center for organizing this outstanding event. Special thanks to NCCCC President Yvonne Deadwyler and her team: Alysse Bortolotto, Jeanne Kress, Danielle Murabito, and Emma Odren (and anyone I’ve missed)—your efforts made this event truly memorable.

We’re also grateful to the presenting sponsor, the DE Office of Supplier Diversity, along with the Delaware Division of Small Business, Sherm's Catering, WSFS Bank, Delaware Business Times, Allen Insurance Group, and Wilmington Brew Works for making it all possible. Extra shoutout to Sherm's Catering and Wilmington Brew Works for the fantastic happy hour!

Let’s continue to support and grow this vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem!