News
CrowdPitch to feature Southwest Utah Concept to Company Finalists, Public Invited
Finalists to Compete for $40,000 in Cash & Services to Launch Their Business -
Eight lucky entrepreneurs have just been chosen out of some fifty applicants as finalists in the latest Grow Utah Ventures’ Concept to Company Contest, where they will compete for their share of $40,000 in cash and services to launch their business.
The Concept to Company competitions are Utah’s premier ongoing innovation contests. They are held in various regions across the state with each contest focusing on a different industry. Winning entrepreneurs receive significant cash awards as well as mentoring services from leading professional service partners. To date, the “Concept to Company” contests have distributed more than $540,000 in cash and services and have helped launch over 80 companies.
Through these successful contests, early stage entrepreneurs compete against peers and are judged by industry executives and experts. The finalists in the Southwest Utah General Technology contest are as follows:
- Special FX Astronomy Filters - New astronomy filters utilizing Special FX’s existing clean room technology allowing for high quality and low cost.
- F.A.M.A. by B3DB Geomodels - An interactive facility mapping application that gives access to critical facility data through mapping platforms such as Google Earth. This can be used by staff, emergency responders, and facility managers during critical situations.
- DuctWizard - A software infrastructure that allows HVAC companies to conveniently order custom ductwork over the internet. Current order processes are old and outdated and the DuctWizard aims to solve that problem.
- Modular UTV System - A unique UTV (utility vehicle) mounting system allowing the attachment of various equipment for specific functions such as wildland fire suppression.
- Adjustable Jar Lid Release System - A patent-pending adjustable jar clamp and pliers to allow seniors with limited hand motion to easily open jars and bottles.
- Scent Master 3500 - A commercial quality scent and aromatherapy system that also cleans and disinfects the air. It can be used table top, wall mounted, or connected directly to the existing HVAC system for scenting an entire building.
- Face to Face English - An online, interactive English teaching system that uses video chat to broadcast teachers to students' screens. This drastically cuts the costs of having English teachers be in the classrooms and still provides a way for students to practice English communications in real-life situations.
- TrailScale by CLD Specialties - An electronic roll and pitch meter with audible alarm and a lighted display, designed for use with a four-wheel drive vehicle, boat or ATV.
“The Concept to Company contests provide the perfect catalyst for entrepreneurs in this area,” said Jill Elliss, USTAR South/SEED Dixie Director and co-host of the event. “We are thrilled with the caliber of finalists in this contest and know they will add significant value to the small business climate in the Dixie Area.”
T. Craig Bott, President/ CEO of Grow Utah Ventures added, “We’ve run this particular contest three times in Southern Utah and every year it keeps getting better. This year we are seeing applicants more prepared and the winners are going to be that much more ready to hit the ground running.”
The finalists will present to judges and industry experts on May 9th at Dixie State College in a private day of judging. Three final winners will be selected and then invited to present their ideas again at the Public CrowdPitch event on May 10, also held at Dixie State College in the Dunford Auditorium.
The CrowdPitch event is a way for the public to get involved with the Concept to Company contest and bring exposure to the winners. In a highly entertaining mini-reality show format, the top three entrepreneurs will “pitch” their ideas to a panel of industry experts and investors in front of the general audience. This provides a unique opportunity for the audience to observe the decision making process that goes into investing in a business. Audience members will also invest their own “CrowdCash” in their business of choice with prizes being given to the winning “CrowdCash” investors.
The CrowdPitch event is free but seating is limited and RSVP is required. Please visit http://crowdpitch13.eventbrite.com/ for more details. These popular events provide opportunity for a broad audience to share the passion and excitement of business creation and network with other entrepreneurs.
Following the CrowdPitch event, the three Concept to Company winners will be awarded their prizes. The winners will receive a significant cash award: of $10,000 to the grand prize winner and $5,000 to each runner-up. In addition, the winners will receive $25,000 of in-kind service prizes from the major contest sponsors, including: Grow Utah Ventures, SEED Dixie, Durham Jones & Pinegar Law (legal services), OveractDev Technology Partners (web services), Savage Esplin & Radmall Accounting (financial services). The cash and services help fulfill the purpose of the contest which is to assist entrepreneurs through real money, real services and real help.
About Grow Utah Ventures
Grow Utah Ventures, is a privately funded non-profit organization dedicated to accelerate the creation of innovative, entrepreneur-led, high-growth businesses that will strengthen and expand the future growth of Utah’s economy.
The vision of Grow Utah Ventures is to create a robust entrepreneurial eco-system in Utah that fosters entrepreneurial talent, drives innovation to solve market needs, aligns community resources and support, and ensures funding for products, entrepreneurs and businesses of promise.
Comprised of a team of successful and experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders and private investors, Grow Utah Ventures accomplishes its mission by leading initiatives that fill critical gaps needed for economic and entrepreneurial expansion and encourage others to do the same. As such, Grow Utah Ventures serve as a catalyst to form new partnerships, develop innovative solutions, and capture breaking opportunities that will solve our economic issues today and ensure a sound foundation for our future economy.
About USTAR
The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative (USTAR) is a long-term, state-funded investment to strengthen Utah's "knowledge economy” and generate high-paying jobs. Funded in March 2006 by the State Legislature, USTAR is based on three program areas. The first area involves funding for strategic investments at the University of Utah and Utah State University to recruit world-class researchers. The second area is to build state-of-the-art interdisciplinary facilities at these institutions for the innovation teams. The third program area involves teams that work with companies and entrepreneurs across the State to promote science, innovation, and commercialization activities. For more information, go to www.innovationutah.com or follow http://twitter.com/Innovationutah.
About SEED Dixie
Through an initiative sponsored by the Washington County Economic Development Council, the SEED Dixie project has established a strategic direction for the Washington county area and surrounding region for fostering entrepreneurial development and the creation of growth and high growth businesses. The overall objective is to strengthen the regional economy by creating a diversified economy.
http://www.dixiebusinessalliance.com/seed/index.php
Starting Your Business Workshop
SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses, in partnership with the Small Business Development Center, introduces a new business planning workshop to aid start-up entrepreneurs. The workshop: Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Workshop helps entrepreneurs test a small business idea and begin to plan a start-up. This program includes a free "Start-Up Basics" workshop focused on business concept development and the nuts and bolts of launching a new business. Workshops are held the first and third Monday of each month at Dixie Business Alliance. For more information or to register, e-mail sutah.score@scorevolunteer.org, call 435-652-7791 or 435-652-7741 and leave a message, visit www.score.org