Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — Gerard Durling is a former independent professional wrestler.
He wrestled in 30 different states and five different countries over a span of eight years. That’s why it’s no surprise that he decided to start Powerbomb.TV, a video subscription service similar to Netflix, to watch independent wrestling. “It’s my passion project,” he said.
Durling was one of several entrepreneurs who pitched and presented their ideas, their companies and projects Wednesday night in a bid to garner investor interest and funding.
They were hoping to inspire someone in the crowd to take a chance on them.
The event was part of Wilkes-Barre Connect’s PITCH program, which introduces entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing businesses to a regional investor network. Entrepreneurs and potential investors also had the chance to network , meet each other, and participate in a question-and-answer session.
At one point of his “three-minute elevator pitch,” Durling held one of his old wrestling belts to show how committed he is to the start-up and to independent wrestling. Powerbomb.TV works with 60 different wrestling companies and has subscribers abroad as well as in the U.S.
“I’m in a situation right now where I can’t believe that I’ve grown something that I’m so passionate about that I can no longer do it myself,” he said. Durling urged that he needs “talent” for the company to grow further including video editors, video production assistants, and accountants to assist with budgeting. To accomplish this, Durling said he would need $250,000 to hire employees and to buy live streaming equipment.
Ron Daniels, another entrepreneur who had just three minutes to make a pitch, has a background in the technology industry, working in the Philadelphia area for 25 years. He is currently the CEO of Tierra Nova, an analytics company. Daniels presented a public safety phone app that his company designed.
He believes the app could be very useful in an age where terrorism and mass shootings have become commonplace. “Public safety is so important. I have three daughters,” he said. “I want to make sure they’re safe. This thing can do that for you.”
If an emergency should ensue, the app can connect users with the nearest police stations, hospitals, and an American embassy if traveling abroad. Daniels has worked with many different police departments across the state, specifically the Philadelphia Police Department, and officers have shown personal interest in the product.
“We’ve had officers come to me and say ‘ The minute this is available, I want to purchase it for my family.’” Daniels is hoping to launch the app sometime this year and offered a free 30-day trial for anyone who was interested.
Another technology enthusiast, Mike Averto, gave a 10-minute presentation on ChannelApe, a Scranton-based company that he co-founded. Averto along with his business partners created a data platform that helps e-commerce companies streamline data between multiple systems. Currently, ChannelApe is looking to work with brands and manufacturers in the U.S. that have $5 million of annual revenue or more. Like Durling, Averto said the company needs a bigger workforce to generate more revenue, specifically coders and people with a background in business and sales.
If other entrepreneurs are interested in participating in future PITCH events, they will be vetted and then processed through a three-month training program prior to presenting in front of potential investors.
