101 Pitches and I just won
October 6, 2025 was the day my life changed forever. But first, let’s talk about the days leading up to this day.
After I was inspired to start Wanderwing in July, I immediately checked out the Atlanta Tech Village Summer Start Up School, and I was immediately impressed with the team and advisors. I learned so much from just 2 classes and a $20 investment, it got me thinking… What if I sped up the Wanderwing timeline?
So, instead of spending months trying to learn code, I decided to use AI to vibe code. Then I had to get over my next hurdle, announcing myself as a Woman in Tech. I took the plunge by attending the September Women in Tech meet up at Atlanta Tech Village. With another $10 investment, I stuffed my doubts and imposter syndrome down as far as it would go and walked into the Women in Tech meet up with my head held high. I am so glad I did, because Erin Peterson, Emmy Award-Winning Storyteller, CEO & Founder of Scout Stories spoke at the event and completely transformed how I give presentations. After connecting with Erin, I mustered up the courage to sign up for the Atlanta Tech Startup Village.
Atlanta Startup Village (ATLSV) is the largest quarterly gathering of entrepreneurs in the Southeast, hosted at Atlanta Tech Village (ATV). The goal of ATLSV is to provide a platform for founders to share their ideas in a four-minute pitch format while fostering a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can discuss challenges, gain insights, and connect with the startup community. Unlike other pitch events, ATLSV welcomes all types of startups—not just tech—because every business today benefits from technology and shared experiences.
Remember, I went to the September Women in Tech meet up? Well, I was very proud of myself when I signed up for the December ATLSV Pitch Competition. I watched tons of past ATLSV pitches on YouTube, and thought… okay… I can be ready by December.
Another point to remember at the time of this blog, Wanderwing is still in demo mode. So, after watching founder after founder ask for BIG money in their ATLSV pitch, with a demo, and an app people could actually use - I was racking my brain. What could I possibly pitch for when I don’t even have an app that people can try? Well, that’s a December problem, and luckily this was still September.
Well, a week or so later, Aly Merrit, President, Atlanta Tech Village messaged me to say she had an opening at the October 6 pitch, I decided to make December’s problem, a today problem, and sign up for the ATLSV pitch.
Then I started thinking, if I win this pitch, I will qualify for the grand prize. The grand prize is a year at Atlanta Tech Village. This grand prize is exactly what Wanderwing needs right now. So, now, I had my “ask” for the 101st pitch at Atlanta Tech Village on October 6.
Using everything I learned from ATV’s Start Up School, Women in Tech Meet Up, and my consult with Erin Peterson, I prepared my pitch. My husband, Sam, and my 2 daughters, listened to this pitch until I think they knew it better than I did. I practiced in the car and in my head while drifting off to sleep. I knew this pitch in my bones.
The Friday before my pitch, I also told my boss, Keith Parker, CEO, Goodwill of North Georgia, about Wanderwing. I assured him this would not interfere with my goals at Goodwill, and he was incredibly supportive. Specifically, he said he loves it when his leaders share their talents with the world. Keith’s kind and encouraging words were the boost I needed to keep going.
Finally, it was Monday, October 6, the day of the pitch. I headed to ATV to pitch in front of about 300 people. The vibe of ATV is always welcoming and helpful. Even though we were in a competition, all of the entrepreneurs with incredible tech backgrounds were kind and we cheered each other on!
Leading up to the pitch, my friends and husband all asked if they could come out and support me. I said “No, thank you. I perform better when I don’t know anyone in the audience. I like to be a blank slate to the audience. No one knows me warts and all, they just know the person I present on stage - and that gives me confidence. So, imagine my terror when a Goodwill of North Georgia board member, James Summer, shows up in the crowd. YIKES!
I was terrified, but I just embraced the good vibes of ATV and the pep talk my husband gave me over and over again - “What’s the worst that will happen? At the end of the day, you’ll come home to your family who adores you and your amazing life.” And I know he’s right.
So, I delivered by 4 minute pitch with Brice Nguoghia, Partner Engineer at Google, Google Startup & Venture Capital Engagement Manager, and Joe Berklund, Partner at Gunderson Dettmer, Emerging Company, Venture Capital, Growth Equity & M&A Lawyer as my judges I won!
I am officially in the running to win 1 year at Atlanta Tech Village. But that’s not the moment that changed my life. The moment that changed my life was when I took the stage. When I decided to be bold and say out loud “I am a woman in tech. I am a female founder. I am an entrepreneur. I will make Wanderwing a success!”