Georgetown University has a tradition of entrepreneurship. Since 2009, much of that has fallen under the banner of the Startup Hoyas program, an initiative of the McDonough School of Business, but the school has been training students to found innovative startups for a lot longer than that. Alumni from the school have founded a very broad range of companies, but there is a noticeable rise in technological goods and services in the more recently founded startups. We picked out seven of the most successful, intriguing and otherwise innovative tech startups founded or co-founded by alumni to highlight here.
Social Tables - Social Tables is a stalwart of the D.C. tech scene. Founded by Dan Berger, its cloud-based event management and planning software has become popular with a long list of universities, hotels and business organizations, and helped it raise $8 million last year. The software includes planning diagrams, seating charts, check-in systems and everything else necessary to arrange and run events.
MeetMe - MeetMe is a social media and discovery network that focuses on connecting new people. Originally called MyYearbook when it was co-founded by alumna Catherine Cook, the company was renamed after it was acquired by QuePasa. The network offers features like video games where users can play against new friends and earn virtual currency. People buying that currency, along with advertising and subscriptions brought in over $10.5 million for MeetMe in the last quarter. MeetMe also spun off a standalone dating app called Charm that uses video profiles for users to introduce themselves and find romance.
A Little Nudge - A Little Nudge is a startup aimed at helping people with online dating. Alumna Erika Ettin works with clients to improve their online dating profiles and conversations. Ettin has since become a perennial face for media discussions of digital dating. She hosts coaching seminars and has published a book of advice for people using online dating tools under the brand as well.
Mosimtec - Mosimtec is a consulting service focused on large organizational and planning needs. Co-founded by alumnus Martin Franklin, it distinguishes itself from many of its competitors specifically by its use of technology to come up with decisions. The company uses advanced simulation software and algorithms to come up with plans for its clients, who come from industries including transportation, pharmaceuticals, mining and the defense industry.
Wipit - Wipit is a mobile digital payment system using either an Android phone app or a prepaid Visa card, connected to the app, that you can use instead of your phone. The company also created the Boost mobile wallet tool. The company, co-founded by alumnus Job Tucker, began back in 2010 when the whole idea of mobile payment systems was still mostly untested and is still around despite the rise of Apple and Google mobile payment systems thanks to some savvy partnerships and what stands out as a very simple setup for arranging payments.
Ajilitee - Ajilitee, co-founded by Gregory Lampshire, does healthcare data analytics and management consulting. It has a focus in particular on turning the information raw data from its clients into business metrics. In recent years, the company has taken on the task of helping its clients adjust to the Affordable Care Act, making sure that they stay compliant with their federal compliance reports.
Cregle - Cregle, founded by alumnus Sam Jang, designs and builds highly advanced electronic styluses. These pens are connected via wireless devices that plug into tablet devices and can be used for different artistic and note-taking needs. The pens basically let people use their tablets as drawing and writing platforms to a much finer degree than simply using their fingers.
