After much deliberation by the judges, Trish Lopez, an Albuquerque business owner and founder of Teeniors, took home the $10,000 grand prize from Comcast and Comcast Business during the first-ever Comcast Pitch Fest on September 11.
Comcast Pitch Fest kicked off the New Mexico Technology Council’s (NMTC) Experience IT NM week and a panel of three judges selected Teeniors as the grand prize winner.
Teeniors employs 40 part-time tech-savvy teenagers and young adults to provide personalized, one-on-one technology coaching to seniors. To-date, Teeniors has worked with more than 1,000 seniors in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and through Comcast’s investment, Teeniors plans to expand the business to serve even more seniors across the state.
Trish wants her business to increase senior citizens’ confidence in their abilities to use smartphones, tablets, or computers.
“My goal is to empower older adults, connect with our loved ones and engage with our communities, while providing paid meaningful jobs for teens and young adults,” said Trish.
Member of Teeniors staff coaching clients.
“My mom was the inspiration behind Teeniors,” said Trish. “She was always having trouble with her computer and phone and we couldn’t always be there to help.”
Trish’s commitment to the empowerment and engagement of people with technology dovetails with Comcast’s focus on supporting innovators and entrepreneurs building business toward a better future in New Mexico.
“Comcast has shown us that they really do have an interest in supporting local startups that have some element of social good,” said Trish.
In addition to Comcast’s investment in Teeniors, the four other companies that participated in Pitch Fest received $1,000. Other participants included: ABQ Brew, Blush & Whimsy, Solstar Space, and Zhennovate LLC.
Comcast’s investment in the New Mexico Technology Council and Experience IT NM is just one way that the company supports innovation and entrepreneurship year-round. From NMTC, to WESST, to Albuquerque Economic Development, Comcast supports organizations and agencies who are working to create a better economic future for New Mexico.
“Comcast is proud to support the growth and success of New Mexico’s technology business sector through our investments in NMTC and the Comcast Pitch Fest. All five of the companies who presented were impressive,” said Shawn Adamson, Regional Vice President of Comcast Business. “The passion these entrepreneurs have for their businesses is really compelling. We can’t wait to see how Teeniors uses this investment to expand and serve even more seniors.”
Crowd watches as companies pitch their businesses during Comcast Pitch Fest.
Judges question the competing companies.
Trish Lopez’s reaction after being announced the grand prize winner.