Innovation Bloomed From Competition In Media

HeadRoom a premium co-working location in Media in partnership with Comcast Business and other sponsors held the 2nd Annual Innovating Small Business of the Year competition on Thursday, September 22nd. “The competition is part of HeadRoom’s pledge and commitment to create an eco-system that will promote innovation and propel the growth of startups and small businesses,” says Dan Lievens, HeadRoom Co-Founder. “It is an honor to be able to shine a spotlight on the initiatives in our suburban region.” Six finalist were selected from a very talented pool of submissions with Just Bloomed being presented the winner.

Just Bloomed designed and developed activewear shirts that are specifically made for breastfeeding women. New mothers currently have very few clothing options that allow them to easily breastfeed while living an active lifestyle. “The tank-top designs have built-in sports bras with special access to make nursing simple.” says Katie Virtue, Co-Founder. “The shirts are supportive, fully-adjustable, and flattering on the postpartum body.” The designs are the only all-in-one solution for breastfeeding women who want to be able to comfortably hit the gym or yoga studio and still have that special bonding time with their baby.

As this year’s winners, Just Bloomed received a prize package worth over $9,000.00 including a one-year residency at HeadRoom, a full-page ad in Main Line Today Magazine and cash prize.

There was an eclectic mix of Finalists including

RePipe4710 makes a plastic pipe that is folded to allow it to be placed inside existing pipe without digging up the entire street. Once in place the folded pipe is blown round with steam and air under pressure to create a brand new, very strong water pipe that will last 100 years.

Results Repeat is a bootstrapped, fast-growing digital marketing agency. Our 12-person team provides website development and digital marketing services for over 125 clients ranging in size from one-person startups to large companies with $100,000,000+ in revenue. The way we run our business is truly novel. In particular, we have been innovative in our approach to human resources, client management and product management. Our workforce is virtual and co-works one day a week at HeadRoom. This unusual approach provides flexibility and saves team members time and money. We recently implemented a Results Only Workplace Environment (ROWE) program, which means that staff productivity is measured by the results they achieve, not the time they clock.

Spoonful is a seasonal magazine that looks more like a high-quality cookbook, delivered to your doorstep four times a year with fresh ideas for home entertaining and family gatherings as the seasons change. Produced on Philadelphia’s Main Line, each issue contains at least a dozen ideas for themed gatherings with your friends and family, complete with work plan, recipes, playlists and menu.

Waffatopia is obsessed with three things: Time saved...time spent...and Liege Waffles! Discovered on the streets of Belgium, these street meals are served in wax paper sleeves as you enjoy the sights. These waffles are made with brioche style dough produced from scratch and then mixed with Belgian Pearl Sugar (imagine the salt crystals on your sidewalk in winter...but it's sugar). These pieces intercolate into the dough, and when baked on the iron, caramelize like creme brulee across the surface. This creates a natural semi-sweetness in the waffle, eliminating the need for syrup and toppings.

Digital Exhibition Systems have created a low cost way to create alternate reality (AR) content making it accessible to any organization. We take existing content and turn it into an AR experience.

Comcast Business joined sponsoring companies PECO, Main Line Today Magazine, Brinker Simpson, Media Real Estate, Meridian Bank and Music Made E Z. “Comcast Business has witnessed how technology and creative thinking can accelerate growth in business.” says Ian Gallagher, Regional Director Comcast. “Comcast Business is proud to be giving innovative small businesses in the Philadelphia suburbs an opportunity to expand their operation and goals.”