CHICAGO, Sept. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- After a national search, Miller Lite has named Chicago-based company Edovo as the grand prize winner of the 2015 Miller Lite Tap the Future competition. Edovo, an innovative business that provides a self-driven educational and vocational platform for correctional facilities, took home the $200,000 grand prize, following two rounds of rigorous live pitching, one of which included renowned entrepreneur Daymond John from ABC's "Shark Tank."
Edovo with the Judges: Edovo (center), is congratulated by the national panel of judges (l-r) Dr. Igwe Udeh professor, Southern University at New Orleans, Tennille M. Robinson Senior Content & Event Producer, INC., Louis Barajas Financial Expert & Journalist, Leslie Anderson Senior Vice President, BMO Harris Bank, Juan Solana Nielsen Marketing Analytics Senior Consultant, Hispanic Media
Brian Hill founder of Edovo explains the educational platform to fellow finalists Mother Earth Produce of Ashville, North Carolina.
Brian Hill founder of Edovo pitches the panel of national judges for a chance to win $200,000.
Brian Hill accepts $200,000 Miller Lite Tap the Future Grand Prize.
"Participating in the Miller Lite Tap the Future competition takes a great deal of passion, dedication and a unique idea. Edovo proved to have all these qualities and more," said Steve Canal of MillerCoors Community Affairs. "With their energy, exceptional presentation skills and solid business acumen, they are a business that will definitely make an impact in their community and industry. We look forward to seeing them grow and become a successful enterprise."
Prior to winning the $200,000 prize, Brian Hill, founder of Edovo, was awarded $20,000 for advancing to the final stage of the contest after impressing Daymond John and other judges at a live pitch semi-final event in Detroit.
"We are so thankful for the opportunity this award presents for our organization. We're committed to improving the state of our criminal justice system by providing education to inmates while in facilities and after their release. This award will help us continue in our mission to help incarcerated individuals make positive changes and reduce the rate of return," said Hill. "Programs like Tap the Future serve a critical role in helping propel early-stage companies and I hope not only that Miller Lite continues this program, but others follow their strong lead."
Five other finalists received a $20,000 prize. This year's finalists included:
Gator & Crane – A small format grocery store that works to provide private label bulk ingredients and healthy sustainable food.
Lucky - Oh Horchata – Offers consumers a lite and versatile Horchata concentrate that can enhance any food or beverage to add big flavor.
Girls Auto Clinic – Provides educational resources and empowers women through their cars by offering car buying repair services based on trust, education, inclusion, and empowerment.
Mother Earth Produce – Partners with local North Carolina farmers to provide customers with healthy food options by offering local delivery services of organic vegetables.
Mowdo – Brings transparent lawn care pricing and servicing to nearly 80 million American homeowners with lawns.
Miller Lite Tap the Future, the business competition that looks for original businesses, will return in early 2016 to search for the next business phenom. For the fourth year running, entrepreneurs will be able to compete for a chance to win a portion of a six-figure prize pool and receive expert advice from Tap the Future judges and community partners.
About Miller Brewing Company Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 by Frederick J. Miller when he purchased the Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee, a city he chose as the best place for a brewery given its access to great water. Miller Lite, the original great-tasting light pilsner beer, (MillerLite.com, Facebook.com/MillerLite, @MillerLite on Twitter) was introduced nationally in 1975 and is among the top-five selling beers in the United States. Miller Fortune (MillerFortune.com, Facebook.com/MillerFortune, @MillerFortune on Twitter) is brewed with caramel malt and cascade hops for a balanced taste and smooth finish. The brewery's oldest enduring beer is Miller High Life (MillerHighLife.com, Facebook.com/MillerHighLife, @MillerHighLife on Twitter). Known as the Champagne of Beers, it was introduced in 1903 and is still brewed with the same yeast strain that Miller carried in his pocket from Germany. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD.com, Facebook.com/MillerGenuineDraft, @Miller_Global on Twitter), introduced in 1986, is the original cold-filtered, packaged draft beer. Miller Brewing Company operates in the United States and Puerto Rico as part of MillerCoors, a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at Facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.
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