MassChallenge Texas has selected 14 finalists from a pool of 79 startups in its accelerator program, and three of them are based here in Austin.
One of them, which we recently featured, is music tech startup Rhythmo. Founded by Ethan Jin, the startup's DIY drum machine, BeatBox, has generated $113,000 and counting in Kickstarter backing.
Also advancing are Austin startup Catalyst Education, an edtech startup with a network of higher education experts that can provide insights and consulting services, and Mens Gold Boxx, an e-commerce startup providing fitting, profiles and clothing for big and tall customers.
The 14 finalists, which were picked after making pitches to a panel of Texas founders and leaders, will compete for $500,000 in equity-free cash prizes, which will be announced at an award ceremony on Oct. 17.
Of the finalists, 58 percent were female founded.
“The amount of attention given to female and minority founders is long overdue,” Sara T. Brand, general partner at True Wealth Ventures, said in a news release. “MassChallenge Texas’ track record of accepting more than 50 percent female founders across their Texas-based programs this year illustrates that being intentional about positive impact for the end user will bring forward the best entrepreneurs with the best ideas."
Here's a look at the other finalists, with descriptions provided by MassChallenge Texas:
Collective Liberty: (Washington, D.C.): Collective Liberty facilitates anti-trafficking collaboration across industries and stakeholders to create ground-breaking, data-driven approaches that work.
GotSpot, Inc: (Houston): GotSpot is short-term space for your business. We're a marketplace where entrepreneurs borrow Main Street space to grow their businesses.
MµZ Motion, LLC: (Fort Worth): MµZ Motion is driving the Future of Robotics with the Next Generation in High-Performance Motion.
MakersValley, LLC: (New York): MakersValley is the AirBnB of small batch apparel manufacturing with the goal to democratize the manufacturing industry.
Olifant Medical: (San Antonio) Olifant Medical has developed a stylet technology that overcomes the current barriers to successful tracheal intubation.
Phylomics Diagnostics: (Coppell, Texas) Phylomics provides early detection of multiple cancers in presumably healthy individuals by analyzing blood serum.
Pocket Innovations, LLC: (Richmond) Pocket Innovations solves the common complication of pocket hematoma associated with pacemaker implants. This new medical device is the first preventative solution.
Roper: (New Mexico) Roper helps ranchers boost productivity and reduce losses with a solar-powered, GPS-enabled health wearable for beef cattle.
SolGro: (Fort Worth) SolGro increases greenhouse crop yields by converting photosynthetically inactive sunlight (O,Y,G,I,V) into photosynthetic light (R,B).
teleCalm, Inc: (Allen, Texas) teleCalm's phone service can be life-changing for seniors living at home and those in senior living. Keep your elderly loved ones connected longer and protected.
TRAXyL, Inc: (Warrenton, Virginia) Traxyl is dramatically reducing the cost of broadband communications by “painting” optical fiber onto the road surface.
