[May 21, 2014]

SVForum Announces 2014 Winners of Launch: Silicon Valley - The World Cup Tech Challenge

SVForum today announced the winning companies in each of the five tech groups at the World Cup Tech Challenge, a special edition of the organization's annual Launch: Silicon Valley event. Companies from all over the world applied to qualify, and on May 20^th at Microsoft's (News - Alert) campus in Mountain View, California, 30 companies from 14 countries competed to win the Cup in five different categories: Digital Media-Mobile, Enterprise Software, Next Gen Technology, Ed Tech, and Healthtech.

The winners in the five groups are: Pantomime of the United States for Digital Media-Mobile, Contract Live of France for Enterprise Software, BloomBoard of The United States for Ed Tech, Liquidity of The United States for Next Generation Technology, and Isentio of Norway for HealthTech. Sublime Skinz of France was honored as the 'audience favorite' winner of Launch: Silicon Valley 2014.

"Each of the 30 finalists and winners of this year's Launch: Silicon Valley - World Cup Tech Challenge were outstanding," said Adiba Barney, CEO of SVForum. "We are very much looking forward to following their success and growing this tremendous Silicon Valley-based global event for startups around the world."

DIGITAL MEDIA-MOBILE GROUP WINNER

Pantomime turns any mobile device into a 3D paddle that lets users reach into pysically realistic, shared augmented reality and VR worlds. Any computer, mobile device or game console can instantly join the scene. Initial focus: the $13B mobile game market. #LSVUSA

EDTECH GROUP WINNER

BloomBoard is an online growth development platform that allows schools and districts to collect and analyze educator effectiveness, and educators can access a rich marketplace of professional development resources to support growth. #LSVUSA
Representing: US
Based in: US

HEALTHTECH GROUP WINNER

Isentio has created a SaaS (News - Alert) tool that enables DNA technology for clinical diagnostics. It features 90% faster and more accurate bacteria identification, saving lives and reducing healthcare costs. With speedy analysis and correct data, doctors can give patients a correct treatment and medication the first day. #LSVNorway
Representing: Norway
Based in: US

NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGY GROUP WINNER

Liquidity manufactures revolutionary water purification cartridges, based on breakthrough membrane technology, to solve the world's potable water needs. Pour any non-salt water through our cartridge and drink it safely. It's that simple. No chemicals, no power nor pressure. #LSVUSA
Representing: US
Based in: US

ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE GROUP WINNER

Contract Live is a SaaS contract management platform allowing companies to seamlessly manage all their contracts throughout all stages (creation, negotiation, signature and management) in one safe place. #LSVFrance
Representing: France
Based in: France and US

About the event:

For the last eight years, SVForum's Launch: Silicon Valley, hosted and co-sponsored by Microsoft, has given startups from Silicon Valley and around the world a chance to meet, present to, and get feedback from some of the most renowned VCs, angels, corporate venture firms, potential partners and customers. This year, the 30 qualified startups came from 14 diverse countries, ranging from South Africa to Finland to Thailand. Winners were selected in each Group based on both online votes and points from judges. The winning startups received prizes provided by the group and event sponsors, as well as one-on-one meetings with top VCs and corporate executives.

In keeping with the international theme, each startup represented their country in style - with country t-shirts made for participating companies and attendees, and flags displayed; national anthems were played as each country was introduced. The Launch audience was encouraged to participate in the process: in addition to voting for their favorite startups on each Group page, the audience rooted for both companies and countries via dedicated hashtags. Launch: Silicon Valley - The World Cup Tech Challenge was sponsored by Microsoft, Cooley LLP, SAP, SugarCRM (News - Alert), and IBM.

Speakers:

The World Cup Tech Challenge keynote speakers included Megan Smith, Vice President of Google[x]; Peter Arvai, CEO and co-founder of Prezi, and James Maiocco, Director of Microsoft Ventures.

Panelist-Judges:

Some of the panelists included Marlon Nichols of Intel (News - Alert) Capital, Michael Pachos of Samsung Ventures, Bill Reichert of Garage Technology Ventures, Mohanjit Jolly of Draper Fischer Jurvetson, John McIntyre of Citrix Startup Accelerator, Fadi Bishara of Blackbox, James Maiocco of Microsoft Ventures, Busy Burr of Citi Ventures, Lynne Chou of Kleiner Perkins, and many more.

About Launch

In its 9th year, Launch: Silicon Valley is firmly established as the premier product launch platform for Technology startups. The event, organized by Silicon Valley not-for-profit SVForum, provides the next generation of emerging technology companies with the opportunity to pitch their products to, and network with, an audience of Silicon Valley's top VCs, Angels, corporate business development executives, prospective customers and partners, bloggers and media.

About SVForum

For over thirty years, SVForum has been the leading not-for-profit organization in the Bay Area, providing an unbiased source of information and insight to the technology community. Through the efforts of its dedicated staff and volunteers, SVForum's wealth of programs create networks and relationships, and provide education and access to resources both in person and digitally to a global audience. The organization reaches over 20,000 of the most important thought leaders, VCs, innovators and CEOs in technology. Its partners include global leaders IBM, Microsoft, Qualcomm (News - Alert), and SAP, as well as leading venture capital firms and service providers.

For further information, visit SVForum's website at www.svforum.org.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]