Five local companies duked it out Monday night for a chance to head to Washington, DC and compete at the national InnovateHER Finals in March, 2016.

InnovateHER challenges businesses to unearth innovative products and services that help impact and empower the lives of women and families..

 The companies competing:  

1. IMO Productions, 2.0 a woman owned business geared to developing good and services for women, older adults and caregivers.

2.  G.J. Brown and Associates with Gloria Brown from Menifee who is looking to create a business services company to help caregivers.

3.  Jaan Bio Therapeutics L.L.C with Bhawanjit Brar from San Diego. Bio therapeutics is a woman owned biotechnology business.

4. Covered Cubs with Tiffany Lawrence is a business to help parents nurture and inspire parent protective instincts.

5. Aevum Wellness with Alex and Dean Sbragia, a non-pharmacological bone-restructuring program.

The judges:

1. Kelly Bennett, the first woman elected to City Council in 2006 who served until 2014.  Bennett is a lawyer with Bennett and Bennett in Temecula.

2. Terri Brown from Morgan Stanley.

3. Felena Hanson, founder of Hera Hub. Hanson is a marketing expert in Los Angeles.

4. Dr. Silvia Mah, CEO Hera Labs. Mah focuses on empowering and nurturing women owned businesses in San Diego.

5. Joan Sparkman a community leader and resident of Riverside County for past 58 years.

One of the biggest challenges for these business owners in this style of event is public speaking and pitching their ideas in a clear and concise manner. 

All of the presentations this evening went smoothly the women appeared confident, polished and ready to compete. 

Tiffany Lawrence from Covered Cubs is not only a business owner but a mom and a military spouse. 
"I prepared for the presentation but I was still anxious and nervous," said Lawrence. 

The company Jann Bio therapeutics L.L.C. was the winning company who moves to the next round in Washington, D.C. 

"We are very honored," said Bhawanjit Brar. "We hope to win in D.C. so we can continue developing a drug that could prevent heart failure." 

Brar's business is trying to develop a drug to help the heart after a heart attack. They are at the very beginning stages of a 10 to 20-year time span to get the drug developed and approved for medical use.  

This evenings event was made possible by the Small Business Administration, InSoCal Connect, Tritech SBDC, the City of Murrieta and the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce.   

Pictured below is event judge, Kelly Bennett with a budding entrepreneur.  Murrieta supports women owned businesses.

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