Three Milwaukee-area startups have been selected to compete in the next Summerfest Tech pitch competition in 2024.
The local startups are among the eight selected to participate in the coveted competition that pits startups head-to-head for a chance to win a share of $50,000 in prize money. Summerfest Tech organizers saw a record number of applicants from across the globe this year with submissions growing by over 32% over previous year's record, Milwaukee World Festival Inc. said in a press release.
Young Enterprising Society, a Milwaukee organization that runs an early-stage entrepreneurship accelerator program called The Blueprint, produces the pitch competition. Molson Coors Beverage Co. is the event's sponsor.
Last year, Lavni Inc., a mental health-based startup from Raleigh, North Carolina, with a mission to help underserved communities, won the pitch competition’s $20,000 grand prize. Madison AI-powered health care startup RedFox AI was the second-place winner and took home $10,000. AfroCharts, a global streaming platform for African music based in Milwaukee, won third-place and $5,000. The streaming service won an additional $5,000 as the “Hometown Winner,” a prize that provides further incentive for Milwaukee startups to participate. All other competitors received $2,500 for attending and pitching their startups.
This is the seventh straight year that Milwaukee World Festival will hold the annual Summerfest Tech, Milwaukee’s tech event designed to support Wisconsin’s growing reputation as a tech hub. In 2024, Summerfest Tech will focus on artificial intelligence/machine learning, and Wisconsin’s regional tech hubs.
Here are the eight startups competing in the Summerfest Tech pitch competition:
- Liff Happens, Chicago — A software platform designed to solve the challenges of Lost and Found;
- Zinacare, South Africa — An at-home health testing company democratizing access to health care;
- RoddyMedical, Milwaukee — Medical products designed by clinicians for patient safety and mobility;
- Atomix, Milwaukee — Atomix provides high-touch operations high-growth omnichannel brands;
- Athlytic, Detroit — Marketplace that connects student athletes with brand partnerships;
- Econofi, Chicago — Delivering product innovation for community banks;
- ReachPathways, Chicago — REACH is a college and career pathway;
- Lotza, Menomonee Falls — A drink mixer designed to support liver health and next day recovery.
