Sixteen local companies are set to face off in the Inno Madness bracket-style challenge, representing some of the best innovation Charlotte has to offer.
Starting today, readers can vote to advance companies based on one question:
Who would you invest in?
How you answer that question is entirely up to you — whether you believe in one mission or product slightly over the other, or would prefer to back a more established company versus an early-stage startup, for example.
We will update the bracket each week based on your votes.
We sought readers' nominations to help the editorial team build its 2022 bracket. Seeding is random and does not reflect a ranking.
This bracket is designed to shine a spotlight on fast-growing local businesses. It is by no means a complete list of Charlotte's best startups, which is a testament to the Queen City's growing tech scene. The bracket is meant to show the breadth and diversity of our ecosystem. Think of it as a fun look into companies you need to know in 2022.
First-round voting begins today at noon and continues through March 8 at 11:59 p.m.
Readers may cast one vote per round. Each week, voting will run from Wednesdays at noon through the following Tuesday. We'll open up voting round by round, ultimately crowning this year's champion at the end of the month.
Let's meet the participants:
- Opkalla — A technology-agnostic IT consulting firm
- Open Broadband — An internet service provider for underserved areas
- Ekos — A business-management software provider for breweries, wineries and cideries
- Ethix360 — A software provider for employee ethics communication, case management and compliance training
- Loop Communications — A service for business phone systems
- Oxit — An Internet of Things consulting service
- Dovey — A metaverse platform for dating virtually
- Huck Cycles — An electric moped manufacturer
- Jumbo — A platform to support live-streaming for events
- Atom Power — An energy-tech company revolutionizing EV charging and energy management
- PetScreening — A pet risk assessment service for property managers
- Amicus.io — A fintech company promoting charitable giving by modernizing donor-advised funds
- Bundle — A mortgage platform for homebuyers to learn about the process, create a budget, connect with lenders and compare rates
- MyWorkChoice — A mobile scheduling platform for work shifts
- Emporos — A point-of-sale system provider for the pharmacy industry
- RealResponse — A platform for student-athletes to provide feedback
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