On Monday, 1776 is bringing back its coveted Challenge Cup, a touring pitch competition, with its first stop in Washington, D.C.
For many, the return of the Challenge Cup might be "old news." It started four years ago, making it a staple and consistent endeavor for the incubator. But this year, 1776 isn't just bringing back the same ol' pitch competition. It's expanding and partnering with Revolution to reach 75 cities worldwide, and the entire competition will take place on 1776's UNION Network, a digital platform created to connect entrepreneurs and investors around the world. For the D.C. event, new media startup Axios is partnering with 1776.
In each city, startups will pitch for a chance to represent their startup hub in the multi-day 2017 Challenge Festival competition, which will be held at 1776's Brooklyn campus this year in November. The tour includes 20 U.S. state capitals, six Rise of the Rest cities and each of 1776's campus locations.
Today, the company is unveiling the 18 startups competing to represent the D.C. metro area on Monday. Here's the exclusive list with descriptions provided by 1776—
- 4stay - an online marketplace for student/intern housing.
- Airside Mobile - a secure, digital platform for presenting and authenticating government-issued IDs.
- Aperiomics - can identify ALL known pathogens from any sample in ONE test.
- ATAATA - a universal security awareness platform designed to reduce human error in the workplace.
- Beyonic - enables business in sub-Saharan Africa to easily use mobile money instead of cash.
- CleanCapital - creating an online marketplace to accelerate clean energy by providing opportunities for investors and project developers.
- Entrada: Employer Sponsored Learning - enables low-income immigrants to learn English as they work, using scientifically developed audio and support materials.
- Imby - a digital solution to opaque zoning process that brings together citizens, real estate, & local govts to create responsive communities.
- Manolin - a SaaS platform which gives aquaculture farms the ability to manage water quality, activities, inventory, and tidal conditions.
- MemoryWell - harnesses our network of 300+ journalists to replace clunky life questionnaires in care homes, changing aging one story at a time.
- Mobilized Construction - creating micro-contracts for manual laborers to repair dirt roads to restore human potential and opportunities in rural Africa.
- PockitShip - an on-demand moving and delivery app servicing the DC metro area. Great for anyone who needs to move heavy items from A to B.
- Remodelmate - direct-to-consumer major home improvements purchased via a webapp, fixed-rate installation labor included.
- Sandboxx - we build technology and content for the military journey.
- Shop Or Not - an SMS commerce platform we text you one thing, once a week and you just reply Yes to buy.
- Sooma - delivers fresh ingredients for affordable and delicious recipes designed to make sense for your daily life.
- VEDA Data Solutions - solving some of the most challenging problems facing health insurers with dashboard-free AI and machine learning technologies.
- Zerocycle - a data analytics and outreach platform to cities that literally reduces garbage.
