Drumroll please: We've got a winner.
Sproutel, a Providence-based "patient-centered R&D workshop," has been named the big winner of Rhody Inno's inaugural Tech Madness.
The company is perhaps most know for its interactive toy, dubbed "Jerry the Bear," that looks to help children better manage their illnesses.
The startup, which began as a No. 4 seed, claimed 71 percent of the votes in the final round. It faced off against eNow, a solar energy solutions company based in Warwick.
Our winning startup will receive a special prize: A basketball with their logo emblazoned on it, a symbol of their Tech Madness victory.
If you're coming into Tech Madness cold and are unsure what I'm talking about, here's a quick rundown: It’s a reader-driven bracket competition a la March Madness that aims to champion and highlight local startups — 32 of them, to be exact. These startups faced off bracket-style over the past few weeks until the winner was determined. See the whole bracket here.
We encouraged voters to consider the following when casting votes: "If I was a VC, who would I invest in?” This answer is, by design, subjective. It could have been based on who you think will generate the greatest return, or who’s mission was most aligned with your values and interests, or who you were simply rooting for. However you interpreted that question is correct! At the end of the day, Tech Madness is (and was) about voting for one company and not against another.
To all our participating startups, congratulations for making it this far! To those who voted and shared the event on social and beyond, we thank you.
See you on the court next year!
