The Brink SBDC Awards $175,000 at Inaugural ACE Pitch Competition

USD alumnus Jorge Muniz, Jr. '23, a 25-year Navy veteran helicopter pilot, knows firsthand the challenges of delivering aid in disaster-stricken areas. The logistical hurdles of establishing operational infrastructure can significantly delay critical assistance. 

This experience sparked an idea in Muniz that would eventually lead him to the grand prize at the first-ever Accelerate California Entrepreneurship (ACE) Pitch Competition.

After his military service, Muniz pursued an MBA at the University of San Diego's (USD) Knauss School of Business. During this time, he honed his entrepreneurial skills and explored purpose-driven business models by taking advantage of the entrepreneurial programming offered by USD. He won first place in the 2023 Fowler Business Concept Challenge (FBCC) and represented USD at the 2023 Global Finals of the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (Fowler GSIC), placing in the top 8 of social entrepreneurs from across the globe. These experiences laid the groundwork for Muniz and his son Ethan to co-found Ascender Systems, a company that's revolutionizing disaster response with its innovative climbing robot technology.

Ascender Systems' patented rapid-deploying robot is designed to ascend vertical structures, such as pipes, poles, and columns, to install essential "leave-behind units." These units provide crucial communication, security, and lighting capabilities, significantly expediting the establishment of critical networks and remote monitoring in disaster zones. The robot's efficiency and ease of deployment, requiring only one person and two suitcases, make it a game-changer in disaster relief efforts.

The ACE Pitch Competition, created by The Brink SBDC, culminated at Connect's Innovation Day on September 24, 2024, in San Diego. Ascender Systems emerged as the grand prize winner, securing $100,000 in non-dilutive funding and a year of co-working space from Downtown Works. The competition, funded by the Accelerate CA program administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), aims to catalyze innovation for underserved business owners.

"Participating in the ACE Pitch Competition has been a transformative experience," Muniz shared. "This funding empowers us to accelerate our business and expand our impact. The mentorship from The Brink SBDC has been instrumental in shaping our value proposition and strategic direction."

The Brink SBDC, one of ten centers in the San Diego & Imperial SBDC (SDIV-SBDC) network and housed at USD, plays a vital role in supporting innovative entrepreneurs. By providing free and confidential advising and training, The Brink helps entrepreneurs access capital and build investable companies that make an economic impact. As an Accelerate CA Hub Designee with access to the associated Acceleration grants to fund founders, The Brink extends its reach to help prepare underserved founders for fundraising and connect them to funding opportunities.

During his pitch at the competition, Muniz highlighted the urgency of the problem Ascender Systems is addressing. "When disasters strike, emergency services require critical infrastructure before they will render aid. The problem is this can take weeks or months, delaying response to those who so desperately need help," he explained.

Muniz went on to demonstrate how Ascender Systems' robotic solution is faster, more cost-effective, easily deployable, fully customizable, and persistent compared to traditional methods. He outlined the company's traction and go-to-market strategy, emphasizing their collaborations with organizations like the San Diego Office of Emergency Services and FEMA Sector 9.

With the ACE Pitch Competition win, Ascender Systems is poised to make a significant impact in the disaster relief market. The company plans to finalize its design in the coming months and partner with a San Diego-based company, Simplexity, to explore manufacturability and alternate use-cases for the San Diego Police Department and SDGE. These strategic partnerships will pave the way for Ascender Systems to penetrate the FEMA market by early 2025.

 The ACE Pitch Competition also awarded funding to other innovative businesses including Alleo Labs, who won $50,000 for their venture that leverages AI to advance precision medicine for sporadic neurodegeneration, and Lanuaria Therapeutics, who won $25,000 and is developing transformational medicines for hard-to-treat solid tumors. 

Tara Lynn Gray, Director of CalOSBA, and Daniel Fitzgerald, Executive Director, San Diego & Imperial SBDC, attended the ACE Pitch Competition Finale and presented the checks to the winners. The event showcased the power of inclusive innovation ecosystems and the potential of underserved founders to create solutions that address pressing global challenges.

“CalOSBA’s Accelerate California program is the first time that California has provided seed funding to innovation startups,”  said Gray. “I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time and getting to hear the pitches from the business founders on Innovation Day made it an especially memorable and meaningful way to kick off the Innovation Grant component of Accelerate California. I can’t wait to see what these businesses can contribute to our California innovation economy.” 

As Muniz and the Ascender Systems team embark on their journey to revolutionize disaster relief, the ACE Pitch Competition stands as a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship. The competition's success highlights the vital role of programs like The Brink SBDC and Accelerate CA in fostering an environment where innovation thrives and diverse voices are empowered to make a difference.

— Story by Amy Duncan, Director of The Brink SBDC