By Bryan Harrison
 Bryan Conzone |
 Dominic Lin |
 Jonathan Mill |
 Robert Kibbe |
 Trent Campbell |
The candidates will pitch their business plans in an effort to win the favor of five industry experts, who will evaluate the feasibility and future of each plan. At stake is a prize package and the honor of being declared the inaugural SEMA Launch Pad winner.
The event will take place at the Vehicle Technology Center Stage in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center, November 7, from 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Admission is free.
Get to Know the Candidates:
Bryan Conzone – "Vendors" by CarNinja
"Vendors" by CarNinja is an online platform that gives consumers the ability to easily find the highest-quality local automotive repair shops, aftermarket parts designers and manufacturers, and a host of other automotive vendors in their area. Conzone aims to provide the answer to their questions on what the best choices are for all things automotive.
Conzone is looking to represent the best of the best and give honest, reputable vendors the opportunity to be celebrated—all while encouraging all vendors to rise to a new standard of excellence, with the goal of being listed alongside the company's elite.
Dominic Lin – Funding Garage
Lin knows the next innovative car idea is sitting in someone’s garage, in a notebook, under the hood or stuck in their head. Funding Garage is a community fundraising platform created to help turn those ideas into working products that will revolutionize the future of the automobile industry. Funding Garage also offers resources beyond fundraising through our affiliation network, such as rapid prototyping, research, workshops and even connections to the next level of funding. Learn more about founder Dominic Lin, his team and how Funding Garage can help launch your next crowd funding campaign.
Jonathan Mill – E-Stopp Corp.
Mill is the only Launch Pad contestant representing the equipment developers—the individuals who built this industry by developing innovative aftermarket products that actually go into your vehicle. He also handles all of the marketing and branding for his product, from designing the logos to filming product promos. All of this while executing his business plan, which includes the vehicle he had built on the Discovery Channel in booth #23382, entering engaging contests like this one, and immersing himself into the industry by connecting with his customers directly at shows and events.
Robert Kibbe – The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network
With “The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network” Kibbe is bringing something new to the table that offers a more powerful audience connection than any other media form, be it TV, radio, print or even viral YouTube videos. Since 2009, it has allowed him to interview a who’s who list of guests and to connect with people all over the world instantly, and in a massively personal way. Kibbe's listening audience views him like a member of the family, and that feeling is mutual. The ’64 Chevelle he is taking to the SEMA Show was built by his listeners as a gift.
Trent Campbell – CarBuff Network
CarBuff Network has the potential to revolutionize the auto industry through its ability to connect people to the businesses and events they are looking for. Gone are the days of businesses hiring web designers to build and maintain hard-to-find and ineffective sites. Gone are the days of customers searching the Internet in vain for businesses that will meet their needs and standards. CarBuffNetwork.com is designed as a convenient and affordable way for everyone in this industry to make their presence known on the web. Make way for the "Google" of the auto industry. Experience CarBuffNetwork.com at booth #38180.