Home » UpTech informatics business accelerator chooses 22 semi-finalists

UpTech informatics business accelerator chooses 22 semi-finalists

UpTech logoNEWPORT, Ky (June 7, 20123) — UpTech, Northern Kentucky’s business accelerator, has chosen its top 22 semi-finalists for UpTech II. This year, UpTech saw a 35 percent applicant increase over last year.  “We are pleased with the quality of the applications,” Andy Sathe, UpTech II fund manager, “the program is gaining momentum and reach.”

The five year UpTech project aims to found an informatics business sector in Northern Kentucky near Northern Kentucky University and its College of Informatics. UpTech is recruiting start-up companies who will receive financial and technical assistance in exchange for a commitment to locate their operations in Northern Kentucky

An initial round of companies were chosen in 2012. For this year’s round two,14 percent of the applicants came from out of the region.

Northern Kentucky University’s ultra high-tech Griffin Hall houses one of the nation’s only comprehensive informatics colleges.
Northern Kentucky University’s ultra high-tech Griffin Hall houses one of the nation’s only comprehensive informatics colleges.

“We received applicants from California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota and few international applicants,” said Amanda Greenwell, UpTech program manager. “We broadened our reach and our capacity to market the Northern Kentucky region as a great place to start a business, work and raise a family.”

The 22 semi-finalists were chosen by a panel of 40 judges, comprised of entrepreneurs, investors, and regional startup experts.

This year UpTech II companies will be provided the following services:

  • Equity investment of $50,000
  • Six months of free office space
  • An executive mentor
  • A dedicated team of essential business professionals providing financial, law, accounting, sales and marketing support services
  • One- year NKY Chamber of Commerce membership
  • One-year Greater Cincinnati Venture Association membership
  • Access to resources from Northern Kentucky University’s Center for  Applied Informatics and student interns
  • Additional follow-on funds will be available to successful companies who need additional funding to advance their ideas further.

The top 22 semi-finalists include:

New Home Marketing: Provides builders with a web-based analytical tool that allows for daily real-time market analysis

3DLT.com: The “iStockphoto” for 3D printable designs

Liquid Innovation LLC: Builds mobile software to collect, store, analyze and organize any and all data.

Tixers: By trading your tickets to Tixers, they guarantee the value of your ticket and you receive points(credit) almost immediately that you can use for other tickets on Tixers.

Get the Look Décor: An online home décor community and curated e-marketplace where homeowners find everything they need to easily replicate designer rooms at home.

Bright!Tax: Bright!Tax is a cloud based US income tax preparation firm for the 6 million Americans who are living abroad.

Inteo:  Short for “interactive education online” which provides students with a familiar, smart, and open workspace employing algorithms to gauge student proficiency.

Happy Fit- Company Health Program(CHP): A comprehensive biometric driven health program designed to improve the health of employees in small and medium sized companies.

Hire Speaker: An online social media website where anyone can find a public speaker to hire for their event or program.

MoveMx: Brings motion gaming to mobile devices using an avatar to see movement in real time.

Athlete Potential: Focuses on developing next-generation technology solutions to improve human performance.

Bearhug Technologies LLC: A web-based Connected Care platform for behavioral health providers.

RHZ Development: A mobile media development business that specializes in target designed apps for senior citizens and elderly residents of assisted living facilities and nursing home care.

Touritz: Allows local historians and tour guides to create and upload walking tours and videos. They can be reviewed and recommended by other members, and downloaded to mobile devices.

Blue Seat Media: Builds the next generation for baseball fan experience for mobile devices. Mobile apps help baseball fans capture their experiences and tell their unique stories in meaningful ways.

Kandid.ly: A community + marketplace that compares and books local photographers.

LogonTutor LLC: Provides a one-stop solution for a private tutors to sell their services in-person and online. Parents and students can find a qualified tutor by search.

Collaborative Health Consultants:  Educational consulting firm serving healthcare professionals in academic, private, and healthcare settings.

BigDataInsights: Develops advanced algorithms and software to process time-series data.

Sports Research: Creates an informatics-based tool to identify and connect with avid fans of U.S. collegiate sports to drive new revenue sources and loyalty.

DWLLR: A fully customizable application, built to provide an end to end solution that simplifies the real estate transaction by streamlining the sales efforts, eliminating paper, and providing a fresh approach to marketing, all while saving professionals time and money.

Zooted Delivery: A service that provides delivery from restaurants that don’t currently deliver using a platform/product other RDS services can lease.

The final selection for UpTech II companies will be announced in July. For more information, please visit www.uptechideas.org.