eMacomb - Featured Articles - Fall 2015

Public invited to incubator’s second annual Macomb Pitch competition

The Macomb-OU INCubator (Mac-OU INC) is awarding over $20,000 in cash and in-kind prizes to the top three competitors at the upcoming Macomb Pitch: A Competition for Small Businesses. The community is enthusiastically encouraged to attend and participate as live audience members on Thursday, Oct. 8.

High-growth, Michigan-based technology entrepreneurs were welcome to apply, with the caveat of less than or equal to $2.5 million in revenue and less than or equal to three years in business. Nearly 40 applications were received and then narrowed to the top eight finalists by a group of judges.

This year’s finalists include:

DetectIR Technologies: Creators of the world’s first portable three-dimensional infrared video camera.
Flipsi: A bottle that flips inside-out, eliminating any hard-to-reach surfaces, with a patent-pending, food-grade and BPA-free silicone and plastic design.
FoodJunky: Connects businesses with restaurants online to automate the food-ordering process in the workplace.
GolfCliks: A micro social-networking site for the golf industry with a commitment to growing the game by bringing players, golf courses and related service providers closer together.
KTISIS: Developers of Universal Natural Gas Technology, a system that is optimized to store and deliver compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas in a single, lightweight, compact and economical system.
SteriDev: The maker of CleanCase, a device-specific sterile case for mobile devices, for direct use by surgeons.
Transition Coordination Services: The new paradigm in patient transition coordination services, providing real-time data, analytics and interventions through care coordination during an acute episode across the health care system.
VizBe: A digital, goal-setting platform and resource center that helps people achieve personal and professional success with the proven power of visualization.

The first place winner will receive $7,000 in cash, 7.5 hours of legal time with Butzel Long, and a one-year affiliate membership to Mac-OU INC, which includes access to the Business Advisory Services Program; the Executives-in-Residence, currently including Butzel Long and local defense expert Jim Ruma; Pitch Prep; assistance with access to capital; and one-on-one business development with Mac-OU INC staff.

The second place winner will receive $2,000 in cash and a one-year lease on a Mac-OU INC cubicle. The third place winner will be awarded $1,000 in cash and a six-month Mac-OU INC cubicle lease. Both will also receive five hours of consultation with Butzel Long.

Judges for the evening include Amy Butler, executive director of OU INCubator and the Clean Energy Research Center; Patti Glaza, vice president of Invest Detroit and Managing director of Detroit Innovate and First Step Fund; Derrin Leppek, director of the Macomb Community College Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Wendy Richardson, business consultant for the Michigan Small Business Development Center; and Mark Sandri, business banking relationship manager for Fifth Third Bank.

Our department is a sponsor of Macomb Pitch, along with Oakland University, Butzel Long and Fifth Third Bank. We encourage you to attend this great event where you will have the chance to watch an exciting competition, network with other members of the business community, enjoy light refreshments and learn what Mac-OU INC has to offer. It will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Velocity Center, 6633 18 Mile Road, Sterling Heights. It is free to the public, but those attending should contact Joan Carleton at macINC@oakland.edu or (586) 884-9324 to register.

To learn more about Mac-OU INC, visit their website at oakland.edu/macombouinc.