The Shils Entrepreneurial Fund Great Oral Health Pitch Event Takes Place at the GNYDM

The Shils Entrepreneurial Fund Great Oral Health Pitch Event Takes Place at the GNYDM | Image Credit: © The Shils Fund

The inaugural Great Oral Health Pitch Event, hosted by The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc., unfolded during the Greater New York Dental Meeting at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on November 26, 2023.

This event, titled "The Great Oral Health Pitch: Innovate, Elevate and Generate Your Idea to Advance Oral Health!" embodies the fund's commitment to encouraging innovation in oral health by providing a platform for young entrepreneurs and students to showcase their groundbreaking ideas. With a mission to carry forward the legacy of Dr. Edward B. Shils, the program comprises 3 in-person "practice pitch" events, aiming to educate and empower entrepreneurs in delivering successful pitches, vying for a grand prize exceeding $50,000.

Following a "shark tank" format, the event featured aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their innovative oral health concepts to a distinguished panel of judges, comprised of industry experts. The judging panel at the initial event included David Branch, founder/president/CEO of Integrated Media Services; George Wolfe, president of DMG America; and Jane Levy, co-founder and Co-CEO of Plan Forward. Moderating the session was Keith Drayer, President of the Shils Fund.

“The applicants and quality of presenters made us feel excited about the future of oral health.The innovations were diverse andincluded an autonomous hygienic system, an on-demand e-commerce marketplace connecting patients with local dentists, and pediatric gaming systems. These entrepreneurial presenters carry forward Dr. Ed Shils legacy by building on their vision and values through innovation and creativity, ensuring a lasting impact for society’s benefit,” says Drayer in a press release. 

Wolfe commended the session, foreseeing that the ideas presented would not only enhance access to oral care but also reshape the delivery of dentistry in the future. Levy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the group of young entrepreneurs delivered a broad and exciting vision for the future of oral care.

“This was an amazing session filled with ideas that will not only increase access to care for all but will change the way dentistry is delivered well into the future,”Wolfe says in the press release.

“Innovators seek to solve the current problems they see, and this group of young entrepreneurs delivered a broad and exciting vision of the future of oral care,” adds Levy in the press release.

In addition to the in-person pitch events held at major dental meetings, such as the Greater New York Dental Meeting, California Dental Association, and the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, the program features a series of educational webinars. These webinars aim to equip entrepreneurs with best practices from top leaders in the oral healthcare space.

The Shils Fund anticipates its next in-person pitch event at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting on February 24, 2024. Entrepreneurs and students interested in attending can find more information about The Great Oral Health Pitch Program on the official website.

About the Shils Fund: Founded by friends and colleagues of Dr. Shils, prominent leaders in the dental industry, the Dr. Edward D. Shils Entrepreneurial Education Fund, established in 2002, evolved into The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc. in 2012. This registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization honors Dr. Shils' pioneering vision by supporting healthcare entrepreneurs through annual awards, partnerships, and branded events. For further details, visit ShilsFund.org.