A couple of startups working in artificial intelligence, a couple working on human health and a mix of digital media, computer hardware and home-chef platform companies are the final eight vying for $17,500 in cash prizes in the Pitch Elk Grove startup competition.
The city uses the pitch contest as an economic development tool to introduce the startup community to the Sacramento suburb and its programs focused on supporting Elk Grove companies.
“Year two of our signature economic development event, Pitch Elk Grove, is going to be better than ever,” said Darrell Doan, Elk Grove's economic development director, in a news release. “The number of applicants, quality of semi-finalists, and diversity of finalists demonstrates the strength of Sacramento’s startup scene and Elk Grove’s role within it."
Elk Grove got 53 applicants for its second annual Pitch Elk Grove startup competition. The final pitches will be live May 18 at The Center at District56, 8230 Civic Center Drive.
The contenders are:
- 4pm AI (Sacramento): The developer of an AI sales assistant that automates one hour per day of administrative tasks.
- Adload Technologies Inc. (Elk Grove): The developer of mobile digital billboards on big-rig trucks.
- Foodom Inc. (Folsom): A marketplace for personalized weekly meal prep by in-home chefs.
- HuLoop Automation Inc. (Folsom): The developer of an AI-powered automation platform.
- Matrubials Inc. (Davis): A developer of antimicrobial peptides from milk for combating severe bacterial infections.
- Neural Lab Inc. (El Dorado Hills): The developer of a touchless user interface for cameras and other devices.
- Ravata Solutions (Davis): A maker of sensors to quantify embryo health in in vitro fertilization.
- Tiami Networks (Elk Grove): A developer of sensing intelligence technology for wireless devices.
At the final pitch, $10,000 will go to the top pitch, $5,000 will go to second place and $2,500 will go to the best pitch from an Elk Grove company. Two of the eight finalists are Elk Grove companies.
Pitch Elk Grove started last year as an economic development initiative to introduce companies in the region to Elk Grove and its Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program, which launched in 2018 and offers direct cash subsidies to companies based in the city.
The Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program offers cash grants to companies that will support new jobs or technology opportunities in Elk Grove. The city takes no equity in the companies and the money doesn’t need to be paid back — as long as the companies remain headquartered in Elk Grove. If the company moves out of Elk Grove, or if the company is acquired, the grant becomes a loan.
