🎉Congrats to our 2025 STARTUP Winners!!! 🎉
The competitive spirit was alive and thriving at the 2025 STARTUP Franklin Southampton Awards Night & Expo. The event, held at the Hubs Vine on April 16th, celebrated innovation, creativity, and determination as startup businesses gathered for the award announcements of the $20,000 Grand Prize Winner and the Runner-Up prize winners of $15,000 and $10,000. This year’s contest showcased a remarkable group of talented entrepreneurs, each bringing unique ideas and visions to the table.
🥁 Drumroll, please! 🥁
This year’s Runner-Up winner of $10,000, is The Lighthouse Project! The Lighthouse Project was a 2021 STARTUP Participant, opening a food truck that provided freshly made smoothies, salads, sandwiches, and cold-pressed juices. They’re dedicated to providing healthier food options and connecting to the community. The Lighthouse Project will be expanding its operations into a 931 Armory Drive, Suite A, with a Grand Opening around Mid-May. Connect with them on Facebook or their DoorDash to get your meat locally!
This year’s Runner-Up winner of $15,000 is The Honeycomb! The Honeycomb empowers food entrepreneurs by providing affordable, regulation-compliant kitchen space and essential business support. Our mission is to create a collaborative environment where small food businesses can thrive, scale, and succeed while maintaining industry compliance and operational efficiency. By offering flexible kitchen rentals, compliance guidance, and business development resources, they’ll be the foundation for food-based businesses in Franklin, VA, and beyond.
And now, for the moment we’ve all been waiting for—the Grand Prize winner of the 2025 STARTUP Franklin Southampton Pitch Contest.
Claiming the top prize of $20,000 is
Royale Sambal!
Royale Sambal brings the savory, authentic flavors of Malaysian sambal to a wider audience. They are committed to handcrafting premium quality chili pastes using traditional recipes and premium ingredients, ensuring every jar delivers deep, flavorful heat. Their mission is to introduce sambal as a staple in kitchens across the U.S, making it easy for home cooks, chefs, and spice lovers to enjoy a true taste of Malaysia.
Awards & Expo Night
The Awards Night wasn’t just about competition; it’s a fantastic opportunity for all contestants to network, showcase their businesses, and gain valuable exposure. Whether they won or not, each participant left with new connections, insights, and the inspiration to keep pushing forward.
The 2025 STARTUP Franklin Southampton Pitch Contest demonstrates the incredible potential and talent within our community. We are immensely proud of all the contestants and cannot wait to see them succeed.
Congratulations to the winners, and here’s to a bright and prosperous future for all our local entrepreneurs!
Thank you to all of our speakers: BIll Holloran of the Hampton Roads SBDC, Katrina Manley of Spoken Interior Homes,, and Jordan West of West Wellness Co. Your words of encouragement spurred so many of our contests to continue following their dream.