Innovation Showcase to Spotlight Startups
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMore than 1,000 entrepreneurs and investors are expected to take part in the sixth annual Innovation Showcase this summer in Speedway. Organizers say the event will feature dozens of companies competing for more than $150,000 in cash, services and investments.
May 9, 2014
News Release
Indianapolis, Ind. — Venture Club, Verge and Vision Tech announced today applications are now being accepted for companies who wish to exhibit and pitch to investors at the sixth annual Innovation Showcase (www.theinnovationshowcase.com), an event held July 10, 2014 at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, Ind. More than 1,000 innovators, entrepreneurs and investors are expected to attend the event, where more than 70 high-potential enterprises will exhibit and pitch to investors. Companies interested in exhibiting at the Innovation Showcase must submit their applications at www.theinnovationshowcase.com by midnight on May 15, 2014.
During the daylong event, participating entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their startup, competing for a grand prize of over $123,000 in cash and services, including over $50,000 in cash investments. This year’s Innovation Showcase will also include an optional morning educational program designed for angel and other early stage investors as well as entrepreneurs on strategic challenges and opportunities in early stage funding. The educational programming will be presented by VisionTech and IU Kelley School of Business and will feature content on success drivers and fundable milestones, as well as an investor panel addressing strategic issues at different stages in the funding continuum.
The event also includes a panel of successful entrepreneurs who will discuss successful startup models as well as an investor roundup where regional investors of early-stage enterprises will examine a range of funding topics.
“The Innovation Showcase has a rich history of bringing together entrepreneurs and investors,” said Ike Willet, President of the Venture Club of Indiana. “We expect another record year for applications and attendance.”
Past participants who have experienced remarkable growth after exhibiting include: Scale Computing, myCOI, Indigo Biosystems, BlueLock, Bluebridge Digital, Precise Path Robotics, Book A Coach, Curvo Labs and many others.
Joe Trebley, one of the members of last year’s winning team Emphymab Biotech had this to say about the event: “We've seen a lot of success and continue to gain momentum after last year’s Innovation Showcase. We were able to leverage our win and procure additional funding with both BioCrossroads and the Harrington Innovator Scholar Award. The chance to get our foot in the door with Innovation Showcase 2013 was invaluable.”
Dallara IndyCar Factory is located at 1201 Main Street in Speedway, Ind.
The event is presented by:
Venture Club of Indiana: a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and investors succeed.
Verge: an Indianapolis-based network for entrepreneurs, software developers and startup investors.
VisionTech Partners: a privately held company focused on linking investors to high-potential early-stage companies.
Sponsors for Innovation Showcase include: Purdue Foundry; Indiana University; Barnes & Thornburg LLP; Elevate Ventures; TechPoint; BioCrossroads; IEDC; Halo Capital Group; Tilson HR; ISBDC; Launch Fishers; Launch Indiana; Venture Club of Indiana; Verge; VisionTech Partners.
Ticket prices are $75 for early-bird registration, which begins May 12. Tickets are $100 after May 23 and $125 at the door on the day of the event.
For more information, visit theinnovationshowcase.com