Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Knoxville Business News Tennessee Mountain Scenery Background
October 18, 2022 | Tom Ballard

Winners announced in CO.LAB’s “Will This Float?” pitch competition

Cha Cha Masala Chai, founded by Chattanooga entrepreneurs Antonio and Onteaya Tate, won the adult track, and a team of four students from Hamilton County’s STEM School captured first place in the junior track in Monday night’s “Will This Float?” pitch competition organized by Chattanooga’s CO.LAB.

At the Monday night, standing-room-only event, Antonio Tate wowed the judges with his unique product, which attendees tasted at the event, along with floats from Double Cola Co., the title sponsor, and other refreshments. The student team won with their idea for a product named PTS-D0n’t Panic that helps users through panic attacks.

By winning the adult competition, the Tates won $5,000, business consulting, tickets to Launch Tennessee’s “3686 Festival” next year, and two months of free co-working at Society of Work. The STEM school team — Tiffany Lowry, Alexis Webb, LaKayla Jackson, Noah Maynard – won $500 to put toward starting their business, plus business consultations and tickets to next year’s “3686 Festival.”

Two other adults pitched Monday night — Fluffy Friends, a product aimed at children with chronic conditions, and Overtone Soundpad, a unique music synthesizer. Student presenters also included ideas for a canned Shirley Temple drink and a brand of lactose and gluten-free baked goods.

The winners are pictured here with the adult winner on the left and the student team on the right:


Don’t Miss Out on the Southeast’s Latest Entrepreneurial, Business, & Tech News!

Sign-up to get the Teknovation Newsletter in your inbox each morning!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.


No, thanks!