2025 Investor Forum

The Winston Starts Investor Forum is an annual event designed to provide Winston Starts founders an opportunity to pitch to investors from across North Carolina and the Southeast.

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2025 Winners

Pre-Revenue

Founder Josh Kohn and Meridian Performance Systems took first place honors and $4,000 in the pre-revenue stage competition. Meridian helps golfers elevate their putting anytime, anywhere. It is the ultimate tool to become and more consistent putter through stroke metrics and real-time feedback.

Revenue

The revenue stage competition was won by Home for Life Design and founder Carolyn Sithong who also took home $4,000 in prize money. Home for Life Design is a home-safety software solution for professionals serving the world’s aging and disabled populations.

March 20, 2025

A Look At The Event

Time	Event
1:00 pm	Welcome & Opening Remarks
1:30 pm	Spotlight: Past Winners
2:00 pm	Pre-Revenue Stage Pitches
3:15 pm	Revenue Stage Pitches
5:00 pm	Winner Ceremony
5:15 pm	Reception & Visit Founder Tables

Featured Companies

Pre-Revenue Stage

Alan Cox

Founder & CEO

Zack Lyon

Founder & CEO

Josh Kohn

Founder & CEO

Uly Grisette

Founder & CEO

Seth Wingate

Founder & CEO

Bobbie Shrivastav

Founder & CEO

Revenue Stage

Rick Harrison

Founder & CEO

Carolyn Sithong

Founder & CEO

Kelly Maxey

Co-Founder

Jon Bagg

Founder & CEO

Amy Dunlap

Founder & CEO

Q. Nicole Vanderhorst

Founder & Owner

Josh McGee

Co-Owner & Sauce Boss

Master of Ceremony

Allan Younger

Senior Director of Programs, NCIDEA

Featured Speakers

Winners from past Winston Starts Investor Forum pitch contests, David Kasycki and Dave Miller will provide updates on their startup journeys and lessons learned along the way.