Newfoundland and Labrador innovation hub Genesis has announced the six companies it has selected to compete in a revised version of its Pitch & Pick startup competition Nov. 15, this time with $15,000 of prizes on offer.
The winner of the Pitch & Pick Invitational, which has drawn its competitors from Genesis’ Evolution “pre-incubator,” will take home $10,000 this year, compared to $2,000 in prior iterations. The six finalists have been chosen from a shortlist of 26.
Evolution, meanwhile, is designed to prepare young companies for longer programs, such as Genesis’ own, three-year Enterprise incubator. The eight-week course promises to help entrepreneurs clarify their businesses’ value propositions, find product-market fit and find mentors.
Here’s a look at the finalists:
SmartDoor
Allan Smith
SmartDoor sells software for monitoring the operation and condition of overhead doors, such as those used in industrial garages. The technology can improve improve energy efficiency, detect mechanical problems and help plan maintenance.
Veristart
Craig Hannam and Ajay Pande
Veristart is working on software to make cloud-based keys for construction equipment, solving the security problem that results because each vehicle of a given model usually has an identical physical key.
Data Farms
Heather Zurel
Data Farms is developing technology to help farmers monitor crop health in real time via sensors connected by internet-of-things technology.
Starluv
Adilya Dragan
Starluv is an online marketplace for users to buy and sell pre-owned clothing and accessories.
Bonocle
Ramy Abdulzaher
Bonocle is developing a braille controller for smart devices, as well as educational apps and games to teach braille literacy.
ScanSolve
Collins Chukwuma
ScanSolve is an online educational website that plans to use artificial intelligence to tailor content to individual learners.