Orlando Startup Competition
ORLANDO, FL – May 21, 2015 –VenturePitch Orlando, Central Florida’s technology startup pitch and networking event showcasing the latest technology startups in the region, announced today that Altamonte Springs startup Knetik (http://www.knetik.com) won the Judge’s Award and Daytona Beach startup Details Flowers (http://detailsflowers.com) won the Audience Award after pitching to four technology investor judges before an audience of early-stage technology founders, investors, and service providers at its second quarter event held on May 20th at The Abbey in downtown Orlando.
2Q VenturePitch Orlando showcased 4 promising early-stage companies which were selected to pitch their businesses from 12 applying companies. In addition to Knetik and Details Flowers, My One Resource (http://m1r.com ), from Windermere, and Direct Audio (http://directaudio.co) from Sanford, also presented. The competition was preceded by a keynote address by Phil Dumas, Founder and CEO of Winter Park’s Unikey. Phil had a vision for the future to create a more convenient way for people to access their home on a day-to-day basis, eliminating the nuisance of a traditional key. A veteran of the lock world and UCF College of Engineering and Computer Science alum, Dumas brought his access control industry knowledge along with his experience in private equity to build a company and a solution that revolutionizes a market that hasn't evolved in more than 1,000 years. In order to make his vision a reality, Dumas brought the idea on the ABC TV show, "Shark Tank," in May, 2012. His pitch created a shark feeding frenzy, making Winter Park's UniKey the first company to receive offers from all five investors.
VenturePitch Orlando’s four technology investor judges, David “Whit” Whitney, University of Florida and Energent Ventures, Sean Barkman, Ballast Point Ventures, Charlie Dudley, Arsenal Venture Partners, and Richard Licursi, venVelo, selected Knectic, a startup providing analytics, marketing automation, and digital services to enterprise customers, as their pick for the most promising technology startup from an investor perspective. Knetik founder, CEO, and presenter Shane Robinett said: “It was a privilege to present to the accomplished judges that evening as well as network with them and the audience. As CEO, it’s always rewarding to have experienced professionals vet your ideas and approach to the market. Receiving the Judges award, having a chance to respond to their critical but important feedback, makes it all the worth the more worthwhile. This event is a great venue for presentation of interesting and innovative ideas and we are glad to be a part of it."
VenturePitch Orlando’s audience selected Details Flowers, a startup developing Customer Relationship Management software for the floral and event industry to simplify the sourcing, networking and management of large-scale events, as their pick for the best presentation.
On behalf of the VenturePitch judges, Barkman presented Knetik with the judge's award, an opportunity for funding through Florida Funders and an audience with four angel/venture capital funds: venVelo, IDEA Fund Partners, Arsenal Venture Partners, and Tamiami Angel Fund.
The Audience Award, pro bono services from the accounting firm Cross, Fernandez, and Riley, was presented to Details Flowers’ President and presenter Corrine Heck by Dennis R. Pape, founder of Florida Venture Sourcing, the host of VenturePitch Orlando, on behalf of CFR. "I'm happy to say that the response to VenturePitch from the Central Florida technology venture community has been extremely enthusiastic," said Pape. "Our approach of having technology investor judges provide helpful, actionable feedback to the pitching companies combined with providing an opportunity for the Central Florida technology venture community to see and connect with the newest startups in Central Florida, learn how investors evaluate pitches, and network with their peers and colleagues appears to be the key to our successful event. We look forward to continue hosting these VenturePitch events on a quarterly basis in Orlando to give even more startups an opportunity to showcase their technologies and companies.
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