Entrepreneurial students from colleges and universities throughout the region competed Wednesday in the annual University of Washington Business Plan Competition Investment Round. More than 200 judges — many from leading companies and venture capital firms — whittled down the field from 36 to 16.
We always get a kick out of seeing what types of companies are emerging from this competition, as it indicates where the next-generation of entrepreneurs are spending their time. (Interestingly, 25 percent of the entrants this year have incorporated their ventures with the companies already generating more than $120,000 revenue to date).
As you’ll see in the list below, a pretty diverse set of industries are represented, from agriculture to biotechnology to a new class of home cooking appliances.
Here’s a look at the “Sweet 16,” with each team competing on May 24th in the final rounds.
Barrels of Hope, UW
Provides safe, affordable and sustainable permanent shelter solutions to disaster victims and citizens of developing nations.
Biking Billboards, UW
A mobile advertising company that promotes its clients by displaying billboards on bike trailers.
EchoGuide Medical, UW
Is developing a disposable ultrasound based catheter guidance technology that will address the current high rate of error in placement of catheters during ventriculostomy procedures while reducing cost.
Game2Code, UW
Is a web-based educational environment that teaches absolute beginners how to program their own games in a real programming language.
GroBox, UW
Aims to make it super easy to grow your own fruits and vegetables in a small amount of space.
Highlight Hunter, UW
Highlight Hunter’s software saves camera owners time by finding the highlights in their videos. It works with any digital camera and can be downloaded free on Mac and PC.
JoeyBra, UW
A unique pocketed bra design that allows women of all ages to go to dances, parties, or events without having to worry about bringing a purse.
LumiSands, UW
Develops revolutionary nano-particle color enhancer technology that makes LED lighting more attractive, affordable and eco-friendly.
ModernChef, UW
A kitchen appliance company designed to make modernist cuisine equipment affordable for the home chef.
OmniOff, UW
We utilize material science innovations to create non-toxic, nonstick cookware that is 100% stainless steel with no coatings, making it 100% safe for health-conscious chefs.
Stella Therapeutics, UW
Is developing drugs to treat brain cancer.
SuperCritical Technologies, UW
Provides a compact power solution that will revolutionize the way we generate and distribute electricity.
UrbanHarvest, UW
Will grow the healthiest, tastiest, and most environmentally-sustainable produce available anywhere.
ViewPointe, UW
ViewPointe is a real time software tool that enables emergency response agencies such as Police, Fire and Utilities to collaborate, communicate and track resource locations on an interactive geographic map.
Visupay, Seattle University, UW
A proximity based mobile platform for safe, simple, and secure mobile payments.
Xylemed, UW
Xylemed Ember is a cloud-based electronic patient tracking and operations management system that leverages existing information systems to manage hospital workflows—improving communication and safety, while reducing expenses.
