BEAUFORT, S.C. –- A team of four entrepreneurs took home first place at Techstars Startup Weekend Beaufort 2025 after pitching a lead generation platform designed to streamline backend operations for home maintenance professionals. The three-day event, hosted by the Beaufort Digital Corridor, brought together 38 participants who pitched eight original startup ideas and formed three teams over the course of 54 hours.

The winning team, BetterMatch, proposed a modern alternative to platforms like Angie's List. Their concept uses chatbot integration and Net Promoter Scores to identify and qualify service leads, helping electricians, plumbers, and other tradespeople reduce administrative workload and focus on their core business. To validate the idea, the team reached out to employees of Angie's List and gathered direct feedback on what works and what doesn't.

BetterMatch includes Connor Floyd, a computer science graduate from the University of South Carolina Beaufort; Tristan Vance, a public sector representative; Andres Marquez, a senior consultant in data engineering and tech innovation; and Jessica Macmillan, an advertising and editorial photographer.

The top prize package includes minimum viable product development sponsored by LowCountry Games; a VIP trip to Charleston with a private tour of the Charleston Digital Corridor and a class at the Charleston Learning Center; a four-week intellectual property advisory program through Longship Legal; a marketing strategy consultation with Soiree Social Media; a fellowship to the 14-week Founder Institute accelerator; a one-year membership to the Beaufort Digital Corridor; a pitch opportunity at an upcoming TechConnect event; and a feature on BDC's website and social media.

All event participants also received startup perks such as AWS credits through Brex, SaaS discounts through Deel, Google Cloud credits, and design tool discounts from Desygner. Additional giveaways included tech accessories provided by CaseFactor.io.

The event was organized by Jess O'Brien and Angela Coxe of the Beaufort Digital Corridor. Mentors included Rich Conte, Amy Doerflinger, Henrik de Gyor, and Eric Siano. Fourteen sponsors contributed to the success of the weekend including Technical College of the Lowcountry, AlphaGraphics, Beaufort County Economic Development Corp, Lowcountry Games, University of South Carolina Beaufort, City of Beaufort, South Carolina Research Authority, South Coast Cyber Center, 303 Associates, ABC Storage & Rental, Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, Evolve Into Fitness & Nutrition, Piace Pizza, and ShellRing Aleworks.

Techstars Startup Weekend is designed to introduce aspiring entrepreneurs to the fast-paced world of startups. Participants gain hands-on experience building a company, working in teams, and pitching to judges.

The weekend is just the beginning of a longer entrepreneurial journey. Beaufort Digital Corridor, local organizer of the event, offers continued support through mentorship, networking, and programs such as the Founder Institute's 14-week pre-seed accelerator, which begins its next cohort on October 14, 2025. https://fi.co/south-carolina

Photos from the weekend are available on Facebook at Beaufort Digital Corridor Accelerators. For more information or to get involved, visit www.beaufortdigital.com/events.

Media Contact:
Jess O'Brien
Executive Director
Beaufort Digital Corridor
jess@beaufortdigital.com