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On November 15th and 16th, before 320 spectators and a panel of judges comprised of some of the most innovative entrepreneurial minds in Chicago, six idea-stage start-ups took the stage for a chance to win over $100,000 in start-up friendly services to kick-start their businesses.
They had been selected based on their business idea, economic viability and overall creativity. Now each had just 10 minutes to wow our judges -- a 5-minute pitching session, plus 5 minutes of Q&A with our judges. Among them: investors from Sandbox Industries, New World Ventures, Hyde Park Venture Partners, as well as executives from GoSoapBox, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Barnes and Thornburg, Katten Law, and BrightTag. In sum, an experienced and hard-to-please crowd when it comes to picking great start-ups.
Happily, all our entrepreneurs stepped up to the occasion and impressed us with their creativity, initiative and business savvy. So it's our pleasure to finally announce the fast-pitch winners of SeedCon 2012.
First Place: Intelligent Loop
Developing mobile enterprise software that helps managers of industrial facilities reduce the cost and complexity of managing their physical assets by connecting these assets to the internet, using a smartphone’s capability to scan barcodes, take photos, acquire GPS, support near field communications and push collected data to the cloud.
Second Place: DigitalGroundup
An interactive and experiential learning platform for digital marketing. Instead of reading the 250 page AdWords manual or watching videos on YouTube or Udemy, individuals on DigitalGroundUp learn by doing, getting their hands dirty with interactive exercises that simulate online advertising -- without having to gamble money on Google or Facebook. DigitalGroundUp will bring digital marketing to the masses -- allowing companies to take control and improve their own digital marketing efforts without having to hire an agency, consultant, or internal specialist.
Third Place: Infrared Solutions
Leverages recent advances in nanomaterials chemistry to provide an alternative to current infrared, thermal detection technologies, which could dramatically reduce the cost of detectors and cameras. This new technology will meet a great demand for more affordable devices and open thermal detection and imaging to new applications and markets.
And Runner-Ups:
TheStylisted
The only dedicated network of freelance beauty and wellness professionals that allows clients to view detailed online portfolios from the network and book in-home appointments through the site. Our Philosophy: Beauty isn't pain...it's just inconvenient!
MeSoFar
Sometimes described as TED talks meets dating. Based on the insight that attraction is more gradual than instant, this live event and platform for singles uses a slideshow storytelling method to facilitate connections. This format uniquely merges depth and efficiency into the search for someone.
Stork Stack has yet to launch and we hope its SeedCon prizes fill help them get their boxes of goodies into the hands of new moms soon!
BetMe
A low cost online gambling site focusing on sports/financial and special interest (e.g. politics) betting. Unlike traditional bookmakers, who take a spread on each bet made, Bet ME intends to only take a 50 pence transaction fee on each bet made between punters.
Medko
TripAdvisor for Medical Travelers. Medko is a catalogue of doctors and medical services, connecting health travelers to their best option depending on their budget and interests. They can create profile pages, share before-and-after photos, interact with doctors, and best of all... hear it from someone that's been in their shoes.
About the SeedCon Fast-Pitch Competition
SeedCon is the annual entrepreneurship and venture capital conference at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. It is entirely student-run, and open to anyone who is passionate about innovation and entrepreneurship. Through keynote speakers, panel sessions, a fast-pitch competition, and a networking reception, the conference provides fun and exciting opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and those passionate about startups to network and build businesses together.
For more information, visit www.seedcon.com or follow @ChicagoBoothEVC on Twitter for updates!
