Innovation Takes Center Stage at BitAngels Networking Event & Pitch Competition During Denver Startup Week
The dynamic Web3 and blockchain innovation scene took center stage at the BitAngels Networking Event & Pitch Competition during Denver Startup Week, attracting top entrepreneurs and investors.
Denver, CO – September 17, 2024 – The vibrant world of Web3 and blockchain innovation came to life at the BitAngels Networking Event & Pitch Competition during Denver Startup Week. Held on September 17 at the Catalyst RiNO, the event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and blockchain enthusiasts for an afternoon of pitches, networking, and game-changing insights into the future of decentralized technology.
As Web3 continues to reshape industries, the event provided a platform for early-stage startups to present their ideas to a distinguished panel of investors and venture capitalists. Co-hosted by BitAngels (Colorado Chapter), The Future of Web3 (0xFW3), and OffChain (Denver Chapter), the competition attracted some of the most innovative blockchain projects seeking funding to accelerate their development.
A Packed Event Featuring Industry Leaders
The afternoon kicked off with a welcome session followed by an expert panel discussion, featuring surprise industry leaders from the Web3 space. These experts shared their thoughts on the latest trends, from decentralized finance (DeFi) and NFTs to the emerging potential of AI-driven blockchain solutions. The panel sparked insightful discussions, giving attendees a deeper understanding of where the industry is headed.
At 4:00 PM, the spotlight shifted to the main event—startup pitches. Each founder had the opportunity to present their project to an audience including angel investors, venture capital firms, and corporate representatives eager to discover the next big thing in crypto and blockchain.
Expert Judges and Investors on Hand
The judging panel, which included representatives from Rockies Venture Club, Bufficorn Ventures, and Cointelegraph Accelerator, brought a wealth of expertise in evaluating blockchain startups. With their critical eye, they assessed each pitch based on innovation, market potential, and the strength of the founding team. Winners of the competition not only earned recognition but were also considered for possible funding and inclusion in high-profile accelerators.
Pitch Participants Shared Their Groundbreaking Ideas
Gsente provides an AI-powered financial application designed to help immigrants—especially African, Latino, and Asian communities—build credit and prepare for life in the U.S. They offer a prepaid credit card that allows new arrivals to begin establishing credit and helps them understand cultural differences in financial systems before they move. By charging a modest 2% fee, Gsente captures a market traditionally overlooked by financial institutions, offering a practical and empowering solution for newcomers.
Gridlock tackles one of the biggest challenges in crypto adoption: safe and secure storage of cryptocurrency. With countless funds lost due to self-custody complexities, users are often pushed toward centralized platforms. Gridlock has built a user-friendly solution with universal blockchain support. Even during the challenging "crypto winter," they’ve gained momentum with 10,000 active monthly users and 25,000 registered users. Their vision is to add insurance for self-custodied funds and eventually be acquired by a major bank. Operating on a consumer SaaS model, they also offer transaction monitoring for a fee.
GigsGoGreen brings together Uber and Lyft drivers into synergistic micro-cooperatives focused on building distributed energy systems. Utilizing Tesla black cars, SolarEV, and WEB3CLT, they aim to lower energy costs for drivers by creating private EV charging stations that are cheaper than public alternatives. This effort centers around building a sustainable community at RegenVillage in Eastlake, focused on using solar panels, battery storage, and EV infrastructure to offer a clean energy ecosystem for ride-share drivers.
With over 30 years of sound design experience, HearLabs is reinventing how we hear sound. Their patented algorithm monitors and adjusts sound levels to enhance dialogue clarity while filtering out competing ambient noises like lawnmowers. The device also adapts to your hearing preferences, making the listening experience studio quality. But HearLabs isn’t just about sound—it's turning TVs into interactive hubs for search, shopping, and smart home integration. Revenue is generated through device sales and licensing agreements, and they already have secured several patents with working prototypes. HearLabs also has an affiliate marketing model, earning referral fees when users make purchases through the device.
Paisley is dedicated to promoting economic equality by creating a user-owned, peer-to-peer financial cooperative. They provide a payment marketplace specifically tailored for freelancers, developers, and influencers. Frustrated by extractive oligopolies and high fees, Paisley envisions a community-driven platform where users can develop the super-app features they need, such as a pay-per-use invoicing app instead of traditional monthly subscriptions. The platform will launch as a multichain solution on Convex and Base. Using NFTs for yearly verification, governance voting rights, and a separate utility payment token, Paisley rewards users based on activity, offering a fairer financial ecosystem.
RegenCard
What if your payment card could help fight climate change? RegenCard is turning every phone into a web3 point-of-sale terminal with a 1% transaction fee. For each transaction, users earn rewards that can be used to plant trees, and a portion of profits is dedicated to sustainability nonprofits. They're focused on promoting their prepaid cards at farmers' markets, giving away preloaded cards to encourage adoption, and helping users contribute to environmental efforts with every purchase.
Recess App makes organizing in-person recreational sports as easy and engaging as online gaming. The app automates event scheduling, syncing with participants’ calendars to find mutual availability and sending requests to subs when a cancellation occurs. It’s partnered with the YMCA Denver and aims to be the go-to platform for adult recreational sports. The app also has chat rooms and group chat features, helping teams communicate and improve their skills by matching players with appropriate challenges. Recess App offers a seamless experience, scheduling games within 12 hours of the request!
Colorado Blockchain Association
The Colorado Blockchain Association (CBA) is a vital force in promoting blockchain technology across the state. Focused on raising awareness and influencing legislation, CBA advocates for policies that foster blockchain adoption while protecting innovation. Their mission is to ensure that Colorado becomes a leading hub for blockchain-based businesses and initiatives, paving the way for economic growth and technological leadership. Through events, networking opportunities, and strategic partnerships, CBA actively engages both the public and private sectors to shape the future of blockchain technology in the state.
Pitch Competition Winners & Special Prizes
The pitch competition concluded with exciting results, showcasing innovative projects tackling some of the most pressing challenges in fintech, sustainability, and blockchain technology. But the excitement didn’t stop there! CryptoEQ awarded all participants who completed the pitch competition a premium subscription to their extensive research library, filled with deep reports on leading industry projects designed to fuel the growth of emerging startups.
1st Place: HearLabs – Taking the top spot, HearLabs won a full 12-month subscription to CryptoEQ’s premium research service, setting them up for long-term success with exclusive insights into the evolving market.
2nd Place: Gridlock – As the runner-up, Gridlock earned a 6-month subscription to CryptoEQ’s valuable industry research, ensuring they can continue to build momentum in their quest to transform crypto custody.
3rd Place: RegenCard – Securing third place, RegenCard was also awarded a 6-month subscription, helping them further their mission of combating climate change through innovative payments.
In addition, all other projects that pitched, including Gsente, GigsGoGreen, Paisley, and Recess App, received a complimentary 3-month subscription to CryptoEQ’s research reports, arming them with the knowledge and resources needed to drive their companies forward in this fast-moving industry.
This partnership with CryptoEQ ensures every project leaves the competition with more than just experience—they have the tools to fuel their next big steps in development.
Networking and Connections Fuel Web3 Growth
As the pitches wrapped up, attendees enjoyed a lively networking session and party. The energy in the room was palpable as founders, investors, and industry veterans mingled, shared ideas, and formed valuable connections. The event served as a melting pot for collaboration, with many attendees discussing potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
The mix of startups and seasoned investors offered a unique environment for collaboration. One attendee remarked, "I would love to see more events like these with both local and non-local startups in the crypto and blockchain space. It was great!"
Partnerships Driving the Future of Web3
Sponsors such as Catalyst RiNo, VentureBest, Pizza DAO, Digital Innovation for America, Stand with Crypto, NC Management and Snickerdoodle played a vital role in making the event a success, ensuring that the venue and resources fostered a collaborative and forward-thinking atmosphere.
A Look Ahead
As Web3 technology continues to evolve, events like these are critical for accelerating adoption and innovation in the space. The competition provided a glimpse into the future of blockchain, highlighting disruptive projects that are poised to make an impact on industries ranging from finance and supply chains to entertainment and art. Keep informed about all our upcoming events with our BitAngels Events Calendar.
For startups, investors, and anyone interested in the future of decentralized technologies, BitAngels and its partners will continue to offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and discovery. Entrepreneurs looking to pitch at future events can visit https://bitangels.network/presenters for more information.
As Denver’s blockchain scene grows, the city is quickly becoming a hub for cutting-edge innovation, and the BitAngels Pitch Competition is at the forefront of driving this progress.
For more information on how to get involved, media inquiries, or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rich Kopcho or visit BitAngels.Network.
About BitAngels
Founded in 2013, BitAngels is the largest global angel network for blockchain and digital currency startups, connecting entrepreneurs with investors to foster the growth of decentralized technologies.
About OffChain
OffChain is a global networking community for Web3 professionals, with a focus on facilitating social gatherings and events for like-minded people, from blockchain developers to crypto investors.
About The Future of Web3 (0xFW3)
0xFW3 is a Denver-based community focused on exploring the latest advancements in Web3, hosting monthly discussions that bring together the brightest minds in decentralized tech.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. The opinions and information provided here are not intended to promote or recommend any particular investment. BitAngels and its affiliates are not broker-dealers or financial advisors, and readers are encouraged to consult with professional financial advisors before making any investment decisions.