INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., (September 5, 2018) – – Each year, Ben Pidgeon screens hundreds of startup companies from across the Midwest eager to pitch for investment capital. From apps to aerospace, medical devices to educational technology, the executive director of VisionTech Partners I VisionTech Angels has seen it all, ultimately choosing a lucky few to pitch to VisionTech Angels’ 120 angel investors across Indiana and Ohio.
On Sunday, September 16, Pidgeon will be homing in on Lafayette, site of the area’s seventh annual Startup Weekend, where he will serve as a judge for the event’s pitch night. Joining him as judges are Amanda Thompson, CEO of Explore Interactive and resident entrepreneur at The Foundry; and Brad Fruth, Interactive Systems Manager, Beck’s Hybrids. As many as eight entrepreneur-led teams will vie prizes to help their startups thrive.
Pidgeon, a native of West Lafayette and graduate of Purdue University, is honored to take part in Startup Weekend, which is the culmination of the 
Greater Lafayette Entrepreneurship Week, September 10-16, hosted by MatchBOX Coworking Studios and community partners.
“I’m looking forward to judging Lafayette’s Startup Weekend’s pitch night,” Pidgeon said. “I never know where I’ll find the next startup with blockbuster potential. The Greater Lafayette community is fortunate to have Purdue, IVY Tech, a diverse corporate base and MatchBOX, that encourage and support a robust environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. This is also a great opportunity to introduce VisionTech Angels as an important resource for investment capital and mentoring.”
Emily Carter, community curator at MatchBOX, said making connections with local and national experts like Pidgeon give entrepreneurs valuable insight on succeeding in the Midwest. “We can strengthen the entrepreneurial community and local economy in Greater Lafayette and surrounding areas by providing opportunities to engage with experts and each other,” she said. “Working together with the Purdue Foundry, the Railyard, the X District and our pitch night judges, we can help jump start the incredible startups taking root here. We want to show entrepreneurs they don’t have to go to leave Indiana to get what they need. They can succeed right where they are, and we’re bringing resources together for them.”
All Startup Weekend events will take place at MatchBOX, located at 17 South Sixth Street in a renovated warehouse that features a large community working space, meeting and break rooms, and a makers’ space. Pitch night is free and open to the public, beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday. A food truck will be on hand to keep everyone well fueled for the presentations.
About VisionTech Partners I VisionTech Angels
Founded in 2008, VisionTech Partners is a privately held company that links investors to high-potential, early-growth companies. Based in Indianapolis, capital of one of the nation’s most vibrant innovation regions, VisionTech is where inventors, entrepreneurs, investors, universities, and strategic partners convene to share, fund, and launch innovative technologies and companies. VisionTech Angels has chapters in Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Dayton, Ohio; and an Affinity chapter for physicians, AngelBom.
Contact: Melanie Lux, mlux@luxandassociates.com, 803.331.4794