This past June, TechCrunch staged a Pitch-Off competition for Austin startups. “The area’s finest undiscovered startups [came to] pitch to a panel of judges, TechCrunch editors and a thousand attendees.” Each company had 60 seconds to describe their startup. The winner received a demo table at TechCrunch Disrupt SF and the runner-up received tickets to the event. In Austin, 11 startups took a shot at the grand prize. Two winning entrepreneurs went through Venture Forth™ and one is a current Tech Ranch® member.
TechCrunch Austin Pitch-Off Winners
These Tech Ranch® members and Venture Forth™ alumni walked away with a demo table and tickets to TechCrunch Disrupt SF:
Grand Prize: TeVido BioDevices
TeVido BioDevices is a life sciences, biotech company that uses 3D bio-printing of living cells for the purpose of creating custom human body grafts. Chief Technology Officer and lead scientist, Dr. Scott Collins, is developing this technology, now in its early stages, for breast cancer reconstruction applications. Under Collins’ helm, TeVido BioDevices first aims to improve nipple reconstruction. Later, the technology will be used in lumpectomy procedures. Dr. Scott Collins is a long-time Tech Ranch® member.
Second Place (Seattle Pitch-Off): VetCommander
Blake Hogan, Venture Forth™ #21 alumni, created VetCommander to help veterans find employment. The unique service gives users a platform for creating and featuring an interactive video resume. Participating vets are able to receive useful feedback. While Hogan is an Austin resident, he won second place in the Seattle Pitch-Off.
Audience Choice: Stretch
Lauren Foster, Stretch founder and Venture Forth™ #22 alumnus, won Audience Choice for creating a lifestyle app that makes purchasing food and meal-planning easier by pairing your budget with your unique dietary dislikes. Foster’s app also provides recipes and gives users a chance to earn points towards coupons. Foster’s app is especially geared to low-budget households.
About Tech Ranch® Austin
Get more information about Tech Ranch® and some alumni businesses that have been through Venture Forth™, Venture Start™, and our other programs.