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WILKES-BARRE — Two local start-ups did their best “Shark Tank” impression by pitching their business models to potential investors and benefactors Wednesday evening.

Both Southern Safety Productions LLC and Miner’s Mill Craft Distillery presented their history, goals and services in front of attendees at the “Pitch” event held at the THINK Center in the city’s downtown.

Nick Rosati, founder and CEO of Miner’s Mill Distillery, placed a bid for the distillery at a tax sale in 2015. A year later, he was granted the deed to a place that’s been around since 1795 and zoned for a license to distill whiskey.

“The goal tonight is to find an investor to accelerate the process,” said Rosati about garnering funds for his city-based business. “I’m open to different deals because it’s a unique industry.”

Rosati was willing to negotiate equity, loans and other types of agreements. He is looking for investments between $125,000 and $4 million.

When the distillery is fully functioning, Rosati hopes to hire approximately 50 people locally for all facets of the operation from production to people in the tasting rooms.

“Whiskey is an investment,” he said. “It’s a product that appreciates over time.”

Dr. Nicholas Welch pitched a drastically different operation.

Southern Safety Productions makes Smoke Shields, a four-part device that uses a filter to provide a person trapped in a house fire with breathable air for up to one hour while awaiting rescue.

During his pitch, Welch provided statistics that said over 3,000 people die each year in fires. He also pointed out that smoke deaths outpace fire deaths eight to one.

Welch said his product costs $250 per unit and he hopes to target the young adult/parent segment along with the senior population.

He is seeking a $150,000 investment to help his startup in many areas, including: e-commerce, social media and production.

“Eight people die per day,” said Welch. “The longer the product takes to get to market, the more people die.”

Nicholas Welch, M.D., makes his pitch to investors for his Smoke Shield system at the Wilkes-Barre THINK Center during an event Wednesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL032019pitch-dan_2-1-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgNicholas Welch, M.D., makes his pitch to investors for his Smoke Shield system at the Wilkes-Barre THINK Center during an event Wednesday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Miner’s Mill Craft Distillery founder Nick Rosati, right, describes his business to Wilkes University Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Executive Director Rodney Ridley and Wilkes University Executive-in-Residence Jerry Ephault at the THINK Center during a Wilkes-Barre Connect Pitch event Wednesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_TTL032019pitch-dan_1-1-1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgMiner’s Mill Craft Distillery founder Nick Rosati, right, describes his business to Wilkes University Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Executive Director Rodney Ridley and Wilkes University Executive-in-Residence Jerry Ephault at the THINK Center during a Wilkes-Barre Connect Pitch event Wednesday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Dan Stokes

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Reach Dan Stokes at 570-991-6389 or on Twitter @ByDanStokes