How to Win a $1M Pitch Competition: Startup Grind feat: Nyamitse-Calvin Mahinda

Aug 12, 10:00 PM – Aug 13, 1:00 AM (UTC)

New York City

The Yard: Herald Square, 106 West 32nd Street, New York, 10001

What does it take to beat 100+ startups for a shot at $1M? Nyamitse-Calvin Mahinda's healthcare AI startup cracked the code at Startup World Cup NYC. Now heading to the global Grand Finale, he reveals the pitch strategies and pivots that separated winners from the competition graveyard.

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About this event

What does it take to beat 100+ startups and walk away with a shot at $1M? Nyamitse-Calvin Mahinda cracked the code. His healthcare AI startup Vital Audio didn't just win Startup World Cup NYC—it dominated with a pitch that turned voice recordings into medical vital signs and skeptical judges into believers. 

Now, as he prepares for the global Grand Finale, Calvin reveals the strategies, mistakes, and last-minute pivots that separated his 4-minute pitch from the competition.

What You'll Learn

The Winning Formula:

  • How Nyamitse-Calvin built a compelling pitch that stood out among NYC's top 10 startups
  • The strategic decisions that led to Vital Audio's selection from hundreds of applicants 👈
  • Behind-the-scenes insights from the intense 4-minute pitch + judges' Q&A

Building in Digital Health:

  • Navigating the complex healthcare regulatory landscape as a startup
  • Securing strategic partnerships with major healthcare institutions 👈
  • Developing IP protection strategies that create competitive moats
  • Balancing clinical validation with commercial viability

From Regional Winner to Grand Finale:

  • Preparing for the $1M investment prize competition in San Francisco
  • Lessons learned from competing against global startup talent
  • How winning the regional competition has accelerated business development

Founder Insights:

  • Assembling a team that combines technical expertise with healthcare credibility
  • Raising capital in the competitive digital health space
  • Converting pilot programs into revenue-generating partnerships

About Nyamitse-Calvin Mahinda

Nyamitse-Calvin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Vital Audio, a pioneering digital health company that's revolutionizing remote patient monitoring through voice, video, and body sound analysis. Under his leadership, Vital Audio has:

  • Secured three patents covering breakthrough vital signs detection technology
  • Established research partnerships with major healthcare institutions
  • Developed clinical validation studies for AFib detection and cardiac monitoring
  • Built a clear path to market through CPT code strategy and telehealth platform integrations

Nyamitse-Calvin's journey from healthcare innovation to Startup World Cup winner exemplifies the persistence, strategic thinking, and execution excellence that defines successful founders in today's competitive landscape.

Why Attend

For Early-Stage Founders:

  • Learn from a founder who successfully navigated the startup competition circuit
  • Understand what investors and judges look for in winning pitches 👈
  • Get practical advice on building partnerships in regulated industries

For Startup Stakeholders:

  • Gain insights into the digital health market opportunity
  • Network with other founders and ecosystem players
  • Connect with a founder on the cusp of scaling globally

For Everyone:

  • Hear firsthand about the Startup World Cup experience
  • Learn about building IP-protected, clinically validated technology
  • Get inspired by a journey from concept to $1M grand finale competition

What to Expect

The evening will feature an intimate fireside chat format, allowing for deep-dive discussions and audience Q&A. Nyamitse-Calvin will share both successes and challenges, offering honest insights about the realities of building a healthcare technology startup. Following the presentation, enjoy networking opportunities with fellow founders, potential collaborators, and startup ecosystem stakeholders.

Looking Ahead

As Nyamitse-Calvin prepares for the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco this October, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn from a founder in the midst of scaling his company on a global stage. Whether you're building your first startup or looking to take your company to the next level, Nyamitse-Calvin's insights will provide valuable guidance for your entrepreneurial journey.

Don't miss this chance to learn from a rising star in the digital health space and connect with the vibrant startup community.

This event is designed for founders, entrepreneurs, investors, and startup ecosystem stakeholders interested in learning from successful founder experiences and building meaningful connections within the community.

Speaker

  • Nyamitse-Calvin Mahinda

    Vital Audio

    Co-Founder and CEO

When

When

August 12 – 13, 2025
10:00 PM – 1:00 AM (UTC)

Organizers

  • Joshua Ness

    IEEE

    Director, Startup Grind

  • Tova Feldheim

    York Effect

    Cofounder

  • Paul GUILLARD

    Chief of Staff / BizOps / Project Manager / BD

  • Prianka Ball

  • Daniel Silver

    IntegratedMarketers

    Owner

  • Rebecca Liang

Global sponsor

Google Cloud logo

Google Cloud

Gold

Redrob, Inc logo

Redrob, Inc

Codewalla logo

Codewalla

Partner

The Yard logo

The Yard

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