With the With the help of fashion mogul and TV “shark” Daymond John, the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Monday night selected the winner of its first “Swim with the Sharks” Video Pitch Competition and presented its annual awards at its 2013 dinner and networking event at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center.
Entrepreneur Mac Nagaswami, founder of PenguinAds, received the majority of the votes placed by visitors to the event’s “Shark Tank,” where event sponsors and John viewed the submissions of three finalists and voted for the winner of the competition’s $2,500 grand prize. PenguinAds sells advertising on wraps on automobiles of compensated drivers.
John joined Chamber President Mark Kleinschmidt and Paul Pomeroy, the new chairman of the Chamber’s board, in presenting the oversized check to Nagaswami following John’s moderated presentation and Q&A session.
“More than 20 area entrepreneurs took part in the competition, and thousands of visitors to our site voted and helped us determine the finalists,” Kleinschmidt said. “Mac’s presentation then really impressed the sharks in our reception before the dinner and earned him a well-deserved infusion in what has the potential to be a very successful endeavor. The competition and the evening in general perfectly embodied our goal here at the Chamber—giving area businesses the chance to take root and grow through opportunity and support.”
Earlier in the event, the Chamber recognized the winners of its three annual awards. Vance A. Funk III, Mayor of Newark, received the Free Enterprise Award for his exemplary record of supporting the free enterprise system and proven record of achievement in the areas of economic development and job creation.
Clint Walker, General Counsel at Barclaycard U.S., received the Dr. Wallace M. Johnson Community Service Award in recognition of his leadership in service that has positively affected local citizens and communities.
Newark High School student Taylor Brown received the William V. Roth Citizenship Award in recognition of her outstanding and diverse service to her community.
More than 700 guests attend the annual dinner and networking event, and nearly 100 area high school students joined the invitees for John’s presentation.
