Contact: Jo-ell Carson, Communications Director, at 608-443-1952 or 608-213-1799
Six Madison-area Startups to Compete for a Spot in the Chamber’s Summer Delegation to Pitch in Front of Prominent Venture Capital Firms in Silicon Valley
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.
