Celebrating the Winners of the 2025 Great Social Enterprise Pitch
The 2025 Great Social Enterprise Pitch was a night to remember. Held on September 4th at Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse, the evening was filled with energy and purpose as five visionary entrepreneurs took the stage to share their ideas for building a stronger, more inclusive economy.
This year’s journey began with 11 entrepreneurs in our Idea Incubator. From there, each presented at our Pitch & Brew event in August, where five finalists were selected for the big stage.
Those five were Colleen Herko of Daisy Willow Early Learning, Denzel Kabasele of SubZero Suit, Michael Wherley of Keystone Claws, Nakaylah Kelley and Nakeisha Daniels of Glam U, and Blanca Cintronvidal of Fuel Kidz. They spent weeks refining their business models and preparing for the Pitch.
Each of the five finalists left the stage as a winner in their own right. Their stories moved the audience, their passion filled the room, and their visions reminded us what is possible when business is built with purpose. From reimagining childcare and children’s nutrition to reshaping beauty, sports recovery, and milestone celebrations, these entrepreneurs showed us how bold ideas can create lasting change.
A special thank you goes to our judges: Aileen Wigotow of Friday Financials, Maian McCauley of M&T Bank, Natalee Gunderson of York County Community Foundation, Kate McMeans Farbo of Prism Thrift, and Dan Fisher, entrepreneur. Selecting the winners was not an easy task, and after thoughtful deliberation, the results were announced.
And the Winners Are…
1st Place: Blanca Cintronvidal, Fuel Kidz
Blanca is transforming children’s nutrition by replacing processed daycare meals with fresh, scratch-made food that fuels growth, focus, and energy.
Read more about Fuel Kidz
2nd Place: Michael Wherley, Keystone Claws
Michael is raising the bar for nail salons by combining high-quality services with a supportive workplace culture that values artistry and people.
Read more about Keystone Claws
3rd Place: Denzel Kabasele, SubZero Suit
Denzel is blending innovative sports recovery technology with a mission to create opportunities for refugees and immigrants in Lancaster.
Read more about SubZero Suits
A Night of Inspiration
While the judges deliberated, the audience was treated to a lineup of incredible live performances that kept the room buzzing.
Emaylia brought the house down with her piano-driven, soulful vocals that captivated the crowd from the first note.
Adrian Rose, a Lancaster-based hip-hop and R&B artist, delivered powerful vocals with heart, showcasing why he is becoming one of the region’s standout voices.
Closing out the performances, the duo of Omorfi Strings and Sanji Sax blended classical and soulful sounds into familiar yet fresh cover songs, creating a unique experience that perfectly matched the spirit of the night.
Gratitude to Our Partners
Events like the Great Social Enterprise Pitch are only possible because of the community that rallies behind them. Thank you to Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse for hosting us and providing the food that fueled the evening, and to Ripple Hub for curating the artists who kept the energy high with unforgettable performances. We are also very grateful to our community partners for their generous support:
This Is Just the Beginning
The 2025 Great Social Enterprise Pitch highlighted what makes Central PA so special: bold ideas, and a community that believes in using business as a force for good. Congratulations once again to our winners and finalists! Your vision and determination inspire us, and we cannot wait to see how you grow, innovate, and create lasting impact in the months and years ahead.