SwitchPitch

SwitchPitch is changing the way big and small companies do business together.

It sees itself as the LinkedIn for business development:

Just as on LinkedIn, where professionals post their resumes and employers hire them, on SwitchPitch, start-ups and other small businesses post their “profiles,” and then larger enterprises hire those start-ups to do projects.

THE PROBLEM
Historically, start-ups and small businesses have found it challenging to do business with Corporate America: they repeatedly meet with the wrong contacts and waste time with long sales cycles that rarely result in closed deals.

SOLUTION
SwitchPitch aims to solve this problem by developing an online software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform enabling big companies to manage their start-up and small/medium enterprise (SME) engagements.

The platform consists of a database of 35,000 startups and SMEs. Essentially, it's a marketplace where enterprises can publish internal projects that they can’t undertake themselves, due to staffing and/or business development constraints -– and match those projects with startups or SMEs that can.

Large companies are charged from $1,000 to $10,000 per month for platform access.

The projects range from nice-to-have ancillary needs to larger corporate problems with core business lines. Startups / SMEs then bid on the projects.

The goal of SwitchPitch is to built its platform into a dynamic two sided marketplace.

The platform is currently in beta use with large enterprises like Metlife and Barclays.

To date, SwitchPitch’s marketplace has hosted more than 200 projects, with a 40% success rate, with signed deals between big and small companies. Gannett, Samsung, HBO, Assurant, and many more have signed deals using SwitchPitch.

As Bryson Koehler, Chief Information & Technology Officer of The Weather Company, said: "Whether it's a temporary pitch, or for a long-term solution, SwitchPitch offers a unique opportunity to build a network, solve problems & foster innovation."

The company has been featured in Inc, Fast Company, Washington Post, US News, New York Daily News, Upstart Journal, LA Times and many others.

Team Background

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses.

His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; and DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010.

In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started. He also raised a seed fund
and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban).

Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Michael Goldstein - Founder and CEO

Michael is in charge of managing all business activities, including sales, fundraising and product development. Michael has over 15 years of experience with start-up businesses. His ventures included Magazine-of-the-Month, which sold to Magazines.com in 2004; DealPal, which he founded in 2006 and subsequently sold to Caivis Acquisition Corporation in 2010. In 2012, he founded Exhilarator Services, which helped new businesses getting started.  He also raised seed fund and invested in eight startups including AdsNative (subsequently funded by InterWest Partners) and Umano (subsequently funded by Mark Cuban). Michael graduated from Boston University in 1995. He currently serves on the Entrepreneurs Organization's DC Board as Chair of EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA) competition.

Co-Investors

DreamIt Ventures

Top-ranked incubator based in NYC. Portfolio companies include SeatGeek, 1 Doc Way, and LevelUp.

Allen Morgan

Angel Investor in successfully-exited companies such as Jotspot, Slide, Pluck and Varsity Group.

Ian Mcnish

Technical advisor. On the founding team of LinkedIn.

Stan Shuman

Senior Advisor of Allen & Co., the prestigious media investment bank. Director Emeritus of News Corporation.