Congratulations to the 2021 Liftoff Houston Winners

In partnership with the Houston Public Library and through the generosity of Capital One Bank, the Office of Business Opportunity is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition! Each received $10,000 in seed money for their business. Congratulations also goes to this year’s Fan Favorites, who each took home $500: Courtney Booker, Helpful Hearts Transportation (Service); Mary Lynn Fernau, Serendipity Picnic (Product); and Maryellen Vargas, Switches (Innovation). Pitch Day was held on Nov. 7 at the Julia Ideson Building. To view the Facebook Livestream, go to facebook.com/ liftoffhouston.

Service Category Winner Clara Orlean

SERVICE: ClaraTech | Clara Orlean, CEO

ClaraTech empowers older adults to better utilize the technology in their lives, allowing them to stay safe, connected, and independent. ClaraTech delivers in-person technology training and assistance to older adults in the Houston area through the use of in-home tech consulting sessions and workshops.

Product Category Winner Krystle Hodge

PRODUCT: SafetyKay, LLC | Krystle Hodge, Owner

SafetyKay, LLC, offers products that focus on decreasing fatality and accident rates among children ages 5-11 by teaching them critical health and safety skills. Through the SafetyKay Safety Kits and animated SafetyKay kid videos, children will be taught critical safety skills to protect and prepare them against harm.

Innovation Category Winner Alina Kravchenko

INNOVATION: TonerBum | Alina Kravchenko, CEO

The TonerBum is a “U.S. Utility Patented Glute & Leg Toning Dumbbell” that is ergonomically designed to fit behind the back of the leg. This allows the user to safely and comfortably perform donkey kicks, fire-hydrants and other exercises that target key glute muscles in five minutes from the comfort of one’s home.