PROVIDENCE – (November 11, 2025) - On November 6, 2025, the Rhode Island Business Competition held its annual Pitch Contest at CIC in Providence.

At this high-energy pitch contest over 30 people presented their business ideas in a 90 second pitch format to a panel of judges, including Nina Luchka, Vice President – Small Business Lending at Centreville Bank, Robin McCall, AVP/Marketing & Website Manager at BankNewport, and Gregg Tumeinski, EVP, Chief Growth and Financial Officer at Beacon Mutual.

The business ideas ranged from AI powered businesses to food and drink items to medical devices.  The first-place winner who received $500 was Scott Duarte,  founder of Golden Steps.  His business is a gym specifically dedicated to adults ages 65 and older to work on balance and stability to prevent falls. 

Second place winner receiving $300 was Chris Mohr, founder of Lyvely – Craft Cocktails which produces craft cocktails with premium, all-natural ingredients and better than any ready-to-drink options.

Neve Palmeri, owner of SmartSip and a Providence College student, was the third-place winner receiving $200. Her company has developed a discreet, color-changing straw that detects common drink-tampering substances.

Celebrating its 26th year, the Rhode Island Business Competition fosters development of companies by inviting emerging and established entrepreneurs to submit ideas for a business, in any industry, that is based in Rhode Island and has strong growth potential. The most promising ideas will receive cash and services. 

The Competition is supported by a broad range of sponsors that include private businesses, investors, foundations, colleges and universities, public entities, nonprofit organizations, and former competitors. Today, we are one of the leading community-supported business competitions in the Northeast.