Month: March 2014
Photo by Richard Hurd
Pressure Chamber Finalists Announced for Live Pitch Contest Debuting at neXXpo on April 8
MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced today the finalists for Pressure Chamber. The new business pitch contest will be held during neXXpo: Business in Fast Forward, on Tuesday, April 8, at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall.
Pressure Chamber finalists include:
- Fishidy – Map-based social platform for fishing aficionados of all levels
Brian Jensen, President - GoStrive – Mobile search app for community activities
James Jackson, President & CEO - Intuitive Biosciences – Turn-key protein analysis tools for the life science industry
Shawn Guse, CEO - Murfie – Online marketplace of music, which make CDs and vinyls digitally viable
Matt Younkle, Co-Founder & CEO - OpenHomes – Discount brokerage directly connecting buyers and sellers through an online platform
Kelda Roys, CEO - Thalchemy – Technology to enable smartphones to sensory process information like a human brain
Andrew Nere – Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer
The presenting companies will compete for an assortment of prizes, including tickets to the prestigious Brandworks University and an invitation to join the Chamber’s summer delegation with four other Madison-area startups to pitch representatives from several prominent venture capital firms in Silicon Valley.
Chamber President Zach Brandon said the finalists reflect the high caliber of Greater Madison’s entrepreneurial community. “When looking at our finalists, you see innovations in software, hardware and bioscience,” said Brandon. “Each company presents a compelling business proposition and has the potential to scale… right here in Greater Madison.”
The live pitch competition begins at 4 p.m. in front of a panel of judges, comprised of respected regional and national investors, and a live voting audience. Pressure Chamber is supported locally by Michael Best & Friedrich, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, 4490 Ventures, Kegonsa Capital Partners, Venture Investors, Lindsay Stone & Briggs, Accelerate Madison, Capital Entrepreneurs, Great Oaks Venture Capital and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
“One thing Pressure Chamber and this field of finalists guarantees is that the voting audience and our judges will have a tough task ahead of them,” said Brandon.
Tickets to attend neXXpo and be part of the live voting audience can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com/programs-events/neXXpo/.
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 7,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.
Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799
Click here for a pdf-version of this press release.
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Photo by Richard Hurd
Welcome New Members — March 2014
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce welcomes these new members. Please keep these companies in mind when doing business. View the complete directory listing of all Chamber members.
Photo by Richard Hurd
Local, Regional and National Investors Heat Up Pressure Chamber
MADISON – The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce announced a growing list of investors that will participate in Pressure Chamber, a new pitch contest for early-stage Madison-area companies. Pressure Chamber, a concept similar to ABC’s Shark Tank, launches April 8 at neXXpo: Business in Fast Forward at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall.
“The attention and support we have received from the global investment community is a validation of our region’s reputation as a place of innovation and a home for startups,” said Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce President Zach Brandon.
Pressure Chamber applicants will first be screened by contest partners, including local investors. The highest-rated candidates will then go on to the April 8 live pitch contest starting at 4 p.m. in front of a panel of judges that includes these respected regional and national investors:
- Chris Olsen – Drive Capital; Ohio
- Ned Hill – Mercury Fund; Texas
- Benedict Rocchio – Baird Capital; Illinois
- Greg Robinson – 4490 Ventures; Wisconsin
The national exposure continues for the live contest winner, who will join a summer delegation with four other Madison-area startups to pitch representatives from a growing list of top Silicon Valley firms, including:
- Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
- Mohr Davidow Ventures
- August Capital
- Foundation Capital
- Emergence Capital Partners
Pressure Chamber is supported locally by Michael Best & Friedrich, State of Wisconsin Investment Board, 4490 Ventures, Kegonsa Capital Partners, Venture Investors, Lindsay Stone & Briggs, Accelerate Madison and Capital Entrepreneurs.
“Access to prominent local, regional and national investment firms is a unique opportunity for our growing community of startups,” said Brandon. “We have the talent and now a visible platform to share our stories with the world.”
Companies have until March 10 to apply. To be eligible, the company must be located in Dane County and have raised at least $25,000 from private sources. The application and instructions for companies interested in competing in the Pressure Chamber along with tickets to be in the live voting audience can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com/programs-events/pressure-chamber/.
About the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce:
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business with more than 1,300 organizations – ranging from one-person shops to corporations with more than 7,000 employees – working to bring the Greater Madison area to its full potential. The Greater Madison region is a leader in innovation. From cutting-edge technologies to distinctive retail shops to inventive services and products, our members vary greatly but are united by the region’s entrepreneurial spirit. More information can be found at greatermadisonchamber.com.
Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799
Click here for a pdf version of the press release.
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