The results are in for Round 1 of our Inno Madness bracket and eight startups have made their way through to the next round.
The friendly, bracket-style contest got underway last week with 16 New Mexico startups facing off after being selected based on reader nominations and our own input. As part of the competition, readers vote to advance companies based on one question: Who would you invest in?
Whether you are interested in a company's product or believe in their mission, how you answer that question is up to you. Seeding for the bracket was random.
Several matchups in the first round came in close, with Nature's Toolbox beating TNeuroPharma by just 2.4 percentage points. In total, three matchups were decided by 10 percentage points or less. This week, matchups include Build With Robots against Electric Playhouse, Falling Colors against Nature's Toolbox, Solstar Space Co. against NeuroGeneces and Merek Security Solutions against Everyday Contacts.
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The goal of Inno Madness is to give a snapshot of some of the most-promising tech companies in New Mexico. It is by no means a complete list of New Mexico's best startups, which is a testament to the size of New Mexico's growing tech scene. It's also not just a list of the most-funded startups in the region.
Instead, the bracket is meant to represent the full breadth and diversity of the ecosystem. In the end, think of the bracket as just a fun look into tech local companies you need to know in 2022.
Round 2 voting begins now and continues through Monday, March 14. Readers can cast one vote per round. We'll open up voting round by round, ultimately crowning an INNO MADNESS winner on March 29.
Now, it's time for Round 2 …
Curious about the margins in Round 1? Click here for the results.
Meet the remaining competitors:
Build with Robots -— Offers an automated robot that sprays disinfectant to clean airports and schools
Merek Security Solutions — Provides cyber risk advice with a focus on increasing mindfulness when it comes to using technology and protecting data
NeuroGeneces -— Offers a headband meant to enhance slow-wave sleep and cognitive function
Nature's Toolbox — Has solutions for cell-free biomanufacturing and a bioinformatics platform for drug development
Falling Colors — Uses analytics, configurable software systems and other data tools that manage funds, track costs and measure impact
Solstar Space Co. — Developing communications technology for satellites and spacecraft
Everyday Contacts — Has a a direct-to-consumer style eye contact delivery service
Electric Playhouse — An interactive entertainment and dining venue