Let the games begin!
Our 2022 Inno Madness competition is here, with 32 local startups in contention for the title.
The game plan
Inno Madness is our annual bracket-style competition to highlight the action and activity that has come to define our innovation economy.
Now you, our readers, will vote for the ventures you want to see advance in each round.
The question to answer: Who would you invest in? Think about the enterprises you’d back — for the fastest return, the safest bet or the long game. Pick the models you think will succeed, or the missions you want to see succeed. Vote for your own company, those you’ve rooted for from afar or those you’re just now discovering. How you choose to answer that question is entirely up to you.
The playbook
This fun-and-friendly competition has one goal: shine a spotlight on some of the region’s most innovative local businesses. This year’s group represents just a slice of the activity happening around the DMV, but it’s not just a list of companies that have raised money or made news over the last year. Rather, the bracket aims to encapsulate the diversity of the ecosystem across industry, stage, leadership, geography and more.
We selected this group from reader nominations as well as editorial input, then seeded these private, bootstrapped and venture-backed companies based on factors including funding raised, size, age and other metrics.
The rulebook
First-round voting begins now and continues through March 7. Each reader can cast one vote per round. Feel free to share the bracket with your networks and mark your calendars so you can join us for the ride. And you can follow it all in our twice-weekly newsletter, The Beat. Here’s the full schedule:
- Round 1 voting March 1-7
- Round 2 voting March 8-14
- Round 3 voting March 15-21
- Round 4 voting March 22-28
- Round 5 voting March 29-April 4. We’ll announce the winner April 5.
Meet the participants below and read the contest rules here.
Game time!
Ready, set, vote!
The roster
Meet the 2022 participants:
- Somatus, a McLean kidney care startup expanding its comprehensive care model for patients with chronic disease and end-stage renal disease — and winner of the 2021 competition
- Omnispace, a Tysons satellite company aiming to create seamless 5G connectivity to companies that operate across urban and more rural areas globally
- ThreatQuotient, a Reston security software startup that arms users with threat data and cybersecurity tools
- Cofense, a Leesburg cybersecurity company that provides advanced email security, phishing detection and analysis
- Mindoula Health, a Silver Spring behavioral health company that serves patients across the continuum of care
- ChurnZero, a D.C. software firm with a platform to help reduce customer loss and boost retention for its client companies
- MarginEdge, a Fairfax software startup that digitizes bookkeeping for its restaurant customers
- GetUpside, a D.C. e-commerce tech firm with cash-back deals for shoppers at partner brick-and-mortar businesses around the country
- Shift5, an Arlington cybersecurity startup focused on protecting transportation and military systems from cyberattacks
- HyperSpectral APD, an Alexandria company with a technology to detect viruses and bacteria
- True Made Foods, an Alexandria bottled sauce maker with a growing line of veggie-based condiments
- Decision Lens, an Arlington company with a cloud-based analytics platform for public sector organizations
- Rose Health, a District mental health startup that helps doctors identify symptoms and get their patients necessary care
- Myya, a D.C. intimates and breast prosthetics brand that creates post-mastectomy bra sizing for customers virtually
- MemoryWell, a D.C. storytelling startup that connects seniors and their families with professional writers to share their stories with their caregivers
- Frolick, a Reston meal delivery service that bills itself as healthy and affordable, with no extra taxes or fees
- Wellfound Foods, a D.C. tech-enabled startup that dispenses healthy, fresh food from its smart vending machines at businesses around the region
- Wellthi, a District savings platform that partners with community banks to help users meet savings goals
- OxiWear, an Arlington med-tech startup developing a wearable device to monitor oxygen levels
- Flikshop, a D.C. tech startup that turns digital messages into postcards for incarcerated family members
- Electo Analytics, a District public affairs company with a software for policy teams of all sizes.
- Please Assist Me, a D.C. home management app that coordinates errands with a personal assistant and partners with apartment buildings to offer the service to their residents
- VirgilHR, a human resources compliance company with a technology that aggregates federal, state and local employment and labor laws to help employers stay compliant with requirements.
- Tomu, a District real estate startup that designs, manufactures, delivers and assembles modular vacation villas
- Symplicity, an Arlington software company that provides students with tools to prepare for jobs post-graduation
- Cureate, a D.C. startup with a curriculum to support entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry
- Politicking, a District sociopolitical platform designed to strengthen the millennial vote with information about politics
- Pal, a D.C. startup with a digital therapy platform for individuals with autism
- Selfcenter, an Alexandria artificial intelligence-driven tech to help users overcome burnout by balancing work and personal life
- CorasCloud, a McLean platform that helps federal customers build applications without the need for coding
- Entrada ESL, a D.C. company with a service that helps teach English to Spanish-speaking staff with an eye toward improving retention
- KnoNap, a District startup whose cocktail napkin detects the presence of date-rape drugs
