Ledbury announces finalists in startup contest

Three finalist were selected including one from Richmond. The winner will be decided by a public vote.

June 16, 2014; 9:50 AM • by Richard Hayes

Last month, the co-founders of Ledbury, Paul Watson and Paul Trible III started the Ledbury Launch Fund. The Launch Fund called for business from all over the United States to pitch their product. Eventually the Pauls will give $25,000 and a year of mentorship to a deserving product and its creator. This weekend they announced the three finalists and one of them happens to be local.

I’m bias on two levels. I want Shine to win both for the local connection and the keeping my beer cool and safe connection.

• Shine Craft Vessel Co. of Richmond, which makes premium beer growlers.
• Kuli Kuli, an Oakland, Calif., company that makes snack bars and dietary supplements from Moringa, an edible tree that grows in West Africa.
• Thread, a Pittsburgh-based business that works in the developing world to turn plastic bottles into fabric that is then made into bags, garments and accessories. [via RTD]

The winner will be selected by a public vote that runs until June 23 (I’ll update with a link once I find it), with the winning company announced June 27.

Shine Craft Vessel Co.