The winner will compete in the Startup World Cup in San Francisco for the $1 million prize
Five months ago, Mark Voltaire never imagined winning $5,000 and a chance to compete for a $1 million investment prize. The Miami native was named this year’s winner of SPARC South Florida’s pitch competition on Saturday. The event, held at the Gale Miami Hotel by The Source Groups, a Miami-based organization that helps build Black wealth through programs in tech, business, media, and real estate, brought together hundreds of attendees, 40 startup founders, and 11 live pitches.
The winning startup was Parlay Pal, an AI-powered sports betting app designed to help bettors understand their true odds of winning a parlay before placing a bet. Voltaire came up with the idea while watching a football game, after seeing a commercial for a sports betting app that claimed, “you don’t need to know everything about sports, all you need is a phone.” To him, that was like saying you don’t need to know how to drive, you just need a car. He imagined building something simple that could give people the most information possible before making a risky decision.
Inspired, Voltaire [pictured above] built the first version of Parlay Pal in just 21 days, combining his five years of coding experience with his lifelong passion for sports. “I’ve been building apps for five years and have always loved sports,” he said. “When this idea came to mind, it aligned perfectly with my interests.”
Lessons in Resilience
Local entrepreneurs shared candid advice during a panel discussion [pictured below] moderated by Yadira Diaz, chief impact officer at SPARC South Florida. Panelists included D’Angelo Senat of AllPeeP, Raquel D’Antonio of Sargassum Eco Lumber (last year’s winner), and Chris Gordon of SimpleTalk AI. They spoke about burning runway too quickly, walking away from misaligned investors, and the importance of validating products before scaling. Their stories emphasized that setbacks are not the opposite of success; they’re part of it.
AI: Beyond the Buzzword
In another panel, speakers described AI as both a “kickstarter” and an “equalizer,” making it easier for entrepreneurs to test ideas and streamline workflows. At the same time, they cautioned against using AI simply as a buzzword to attract investors. “Yes, you’re using AI, but you’re also using electricity,” Burhan Sebin, chief AI officer at eMerge Americas, noted. The key takeaway was clear: define your process and problem first, then use AI to amplify efficiency.
Investing in Founders
Altogether, The Source Group awarded $20,000 in prizes across multiple categories, including small business and tech ventures.
In the small business category, Miami-based swimwear company Rielli, founded by Arielle Baril, earned second place and $2,500, while luxury footwear business Keeyahri, founded by Keya Martin, won first place and $10,000. In the tech startup category, Tintte, a biotech company creating sustainable pigments to reduce the fashion industry’s environmental impact and co-founded by Magalí Mendez, took second place with a $2,500 award, while Voltaire’s Parlay Pal secured first place.
For the founders behind the event, the mission extends far beyond prize money.
“We’re not just writing checks. We’re fueling growth,” said Hilmon Sorey, co-founder of The Source Groups. “Every founder leaves SPARC with tactical tools from world-class global coaches, new connections in the investor community, heightened visibility, and clarity on how to scale using South Florida resources.”
Co-founder Ted Lucas added: “Sending one company to San Francisco for a chance at $1 million is exciting, but what excites me even more is finding four or five businesses we can invest in and help grow right here.”
Looking Ahead
For Voltaire, SPARC has already been a transformative experience. Over weeks of coaching, he refined his pitch, sharpened his story, and gained confidence presenting in front of investors. Now, he is preparing to travel to San Francisco, where he will compete on a national stage for the $1 million investment prize.
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