Twelve startup companies took home a combined $150,000 in prize money at the Zahn Innovation Center Entrepreneurship Competition hosted by the City College of New York (CCNY) earlier last month. Startups competed in four different categories, with three prize winners in each. Grand Prize winners took home various amounts, while second place winners received $5,000 and Audience Choice Award winners received $1,000.
VeriPAD, a startup that focuses in technology that can verify medications in low and middle income countries, was the $25,000 Zahn Social Impact Grand Prize Winner. Finishing second was Rural Ignition, an economical and eco friendly cook stove designed for growing nations, while HandyNYC won the Audience Choice Award.
Hybridia, a device designed to create a new method in which laparoscopic surgery is performed, won the $25,000 Zahn Technology Grand Prize as well as the Audience Choice Award. Taking second place was Komb, an app that links customers with available hairstylists.
StreetLabs, a technology that tracks NYC roads and assists the Department of Transportation with roadwork, was the $25,000 Standard Charter Women and Tech4NYC Grand Prize Winner. Frip, an app that assists teachers in finding school trips in NYC, claimed the second place prize and the Audience Choice Award.
Applied Motions, a startup that produces athletic apparel which uses biofeedback to improve performance and limit injury, took home the $50,000 Kaylie Connected Devices Grand Prize and the Audience Choice Award. Upwalk, a smart walker that facilitates improved posture and eliminates discomfort for the elderly, finished second.
Winners were decided by a panel of 12 judges during the event’s Final Pitch night that included guest speakers such as NYC’s first ever Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco. Audience Choice Award winners were determined by the amount of votes each startup received from the audience. In addition to the cash prize, each startup presenting at Final Pitch was awarded an invitation to Techstars, a global community that supports and assists entrepreneurs.
