Cotto Wins First Place and a Prize Package Worth More Than $100,000 at the Enthuse Foundation's 8th Annual Pitch Night

Veggie Vice takes second place and Cartwheel wins Audience Choice at the New York City benefit supporting women entrepreneurs

NEW YORK, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Enthuse Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and elevating women founders, today announced the winners of its 8th Annual Pitch Night. Held on November 5 in Midtown Manhattan, the event brought together five women-led consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands to pitch to a panel of investors and industry leaders.

Cotto took home first place. Founded by Kendall Kransdorf, Cotto makes high-protein dips from whipped cottage cheese, giving classic flavors a lighter, fresher update. As the winner, Kransdorf receives a prize package valued at $108,500, including:

• $25,000 in cash, with no strings attached
• In-kind business services from Enthuse Marketing, valued at $75,000
• A financial planning and informal business valuation consultation with Morgan Stanley, valued at $5,000
• One month of services from Of All Trades, valued at $3,000
• A six-month membership to The Well Network, valued at $500

Veggie Vice earned second place, with a prize presented by Spearhead Global Inc. Founded by Riddhima Kapoor, Veggie Vice makes freeze-dried vegetable chips with minimal ingredients, delivering a light, crunchy snack. Kapoor receives a prize package valued at $90,500, including:

• $10,000 in cash, with no strings attached
• In-kind business services from Enthuse Marketing, valued at $75,000
• A financial planning and informal business valuation consultation with Morgan Stanley, valued at $5,000
• A six-month membership to The Well Network, valued at $500

Cartwheel won the Audience Choice Award, voted on by event attendees and presented by Kendra Scott SoHo and Launch Grow Exit. Founded by CEO Joanna Shu, Cartwheel makes first-aid products for families, including its Nit Happens line, which helps parents deal with head lice. Shu receives a prize package valued at $6,000, including:

• $3,000 in cash, with no strings attached
• Mentoring and business strategy meetings with Kelly Anne Parker, founder of Launch Grow Exit, valued at $3,000

"Every year, Pitch Night reminds us what's possible when women founders get the support they deserve," said Kim Lawton, co-founder of the Enthuse Foundation. "This year's finalists brought innovative ideas and real traction to the stage, and choosing the winners was not easy. We're so proud of every one of them."

Hosted by actress Lisa Vidal, the evening featured judges Kim Lawton, CEO of Enthuse Marketing and co-founder of the Enthuse Foundation; Heidi Dillon, Founder and CEO of Bloom Talent Studio and former CEO of Distill Ventures (Diageo); Nicole Angel, angel investor; and Diana Franco of Women.NYC. The event also included a Founder Marketplace featuring women-owned brands.

Pitch Night is the Enthuse Foundation's flagship event and a benefit supporting its work with women founders generating $100,000 to $1 million in annual revenue. That stage is often too established for friends-and-family funding and too early for traditional capital. Pitch Night 2026 was made possible by the generous support of Enthuse Marketing, Diageo, Spearhead Global, Constellation Brands, 1919 Investment Counsel, Alera Group, Citrin Cooperman, Cross Private Client Insurance, Morgan Stanley, Alliant Retirement Consulting, Kendra Scott, BrandSpoken, Launch Grow Exit, Of All Trades, Bellandaine Group and The Well Network.

About the Enthuse Foundation

For eight years, the Enthuse Foundation has helped women entrepreneurs build stronger, more sustainable businesses through community, education, and access to capital. The Foundation connects founders with the mentors, investors, retail partners, and opportunities that help them grow. Learn more at enthusefoundation.org. 

Media Contact

Ann D'Adamo
VP Marketing & Communications, Enthuse Foundation
[email protected] 

SOURCE Enthuse Foundation