Pitch Slam

Meet our 2023 Pitch Slam finalists

Anact

Brianna Kilcullen is the founder of Anact and originally from Atlantic Beach, FL. In 2019, she helped legalize hemp in Florida while launching Anact. Prior to starting Anact, she worked in the apparel industry for prAna, a subsidiary of Columbia Sportswear and Under Armour traveling to 40+ countries working in factories on almost every continent. She is a dual citizen in the US and Ireland.

Hempress Hygienics

Marilyn Austin is the CEO and co-founder of Hempress Hygienics the first hemp-based period and personal care company.  Marilyn helped start Hempress in 2019 while attending college at Oregon State University where she double majored in economics and business management and participated in many university organizations and accelerator programs. In 2023 Marilyn facilitated the acquisition of Hempress to a publicly traded company located in the EU and maintains the position of CEO. Marilyn is excited to finally launch the brand and continue growing its presence and product line.

Change Water

SaulPaul is a 3X GRAMMY Nominated Artist, previous Austinite of the Year and Entrepreneur. He has also presented 3 TEDx Talks, performed at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and been featured on America’s Got Talent. His life story of transitioning from tragedy to triumph has been told on screen via the documentary Tower to Tower as well as via his best selling memoir Be The Change. 

As an entrepreneur, SaulPaul leveraged his marketing and strategy background to build a speaking and entertainment business that has generated more than seven figures and impacted millions of people. Seeing an opportunity to activate his audience while combining his passions for health and doing good, SaulPaul launched SaulPaul’s Change Water. SaulPaul’s Change Water is a premium alkaline water company with a purpose. SaulPaul’s Change Water is special because the company transforms everyday purchases into a force for good.   

Big Country

Bill Gillies has been a champion of label-friendly, sustainable and organic food solutions for over three decades. Gillies officially launched Big Country Foods in 2019, but it would take nearly two years of research, ingredient sourcing, and recipe development to bring Big Country Organic Hard Seltzer to store shelves. Since the initial order went out the door in February of 2021 Gillies and the Big Country team have been working tirelessly to continue to innovate, grow, and supply the craft beverage consumer with products they can both enjoy and feel good about supporting. The most recent developments are the introduction of organic beer to the Big Country family of brands, with three slated to hit the market in 2023, and an update to the company’s name to Big Country Organic Brewing Co.

Flourish Plant

Kate Ferguson and Lila Sullivan are the co-founders of Flourish Plant, a plant care brand bringing organic plant care products to the next generation of houseplant parents! They launched their award-winning fertilizer, Flourish Plant Food, in 2022 and can be found in over 100 stores across the country. Plant Care is Self Care, and Kate and Lila are on a mission to help plant parents Flourish! 

Better Sour

Semira Nikou is a co-founder of Better Sour, a candy company celebrating culture and global flavors through sour. Semira comes from a background in public policy and law, most recently at the law firm WilmerHale in Washington, DC, where she advised clients on international trade and compliance. Semira left the practice of law to launch Better Sour with her lifelong best friend, Bella Hughes. The two met at a Nowruz (Iranian New Year) party in Hawai'i when they were a year old and grew up enjoying the sour flavors of Iranian cuisine and the tart fruits and snacks found in the Hawaiian Islands.