Springfield firm named finalist in national entrepreneurial contest

A Springfield-based hiring and staffing firm has advanced to the finalist stage in an entrepreneurial competition offering a $1 million grand prize.

Purpose Connect Inc. is now one of 40 finalists for this year’s Black Ambition Prize Competition, according to contest officials. The Queen City company was previously named in June as one of 250 semifinalists, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting.

Musician Pharrell Williams founded Black Ambition, which invests capital and resources in startups founded by Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.

Purpose Connect, led by Dami Odunewu as CEO and founder, operates software that utilizes a new approach to hiring by eliminating resumes, according to past reporting. The company also specializes in international student hiring assistance for employers.

Odunewu said she learned this morning about the company becoming a finalist in the technology category. Other competition categories are in the areas of artificial intelligence, consumer products and services, health care, and media and entertainment

“To be selected among 250 incredible startup companies is a true blessing and a validation of what we’re building at Purpose Connect,” she said via email. “Upon receiving the news this morning, I cried tears of gratitude and joy.”

According to officials with the organization, the finalists also are eligible for a $25,000 Popular Venture Award with the winner to be chosen via public vote. The venture that garners the highest number of votes wins the $25,000 prize.

Additionally, finalists are invited to participate in a four-session learning lab series led by Cooley, an international business law firm.

Odunewu said there also will be a top 25 finalists decision made by the Black Ambition organization later in October. Those selected for that group will participate in a final round 30-minute interview over Zoom with a group of panelists.

The $1 million grand prize at Black Ambition’s 2023 Demo Day event went to Antoinette Banks, CEO and founder of Expert IEP, a parent-facing app for children diagnosed with a disability. The top 36 finalists received prizes ranging from $20,000 to $250,000, with the final eight pitching live for a chance to win the $1 million prize.