PHILADELPHIA — The Department of Commerce, in partnership with Temple University, hosted the Philadelphia Regional Tech Startup World Cup Pitch Competition announcing BioLattice, Vasowatch, and UfarmX as the three winners. BioLattice received first place in the Philadelphia regional competition earning an automatic entry in the Startup World Cup, the largest startup competition globally, for the opportunity to win a $1 million investment prize. The top winners received funding from the Department of Commerce and membership benefits from Temple University’s Innovation Nest. Images are available here.  

“Through strategic initiatives and public-private collaboration, we are elevating Philadelphia as a world-class hub for technology and entrepreneurship locally, nationally, and globally,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “From our high rankings in global startup ecosystem reports to our investments in initiatives like the Philadelphia Regional Startup World Pitch Competition, we continue to demonstrate that Philadelphia is home to extraordinary talent and world-class companies. My administration is committed to investing in our high-impact growth industries across the city, including tech startups and innovation.”

“The companies that competed are a reflection of Philadelphia’s tech ecosystem, which is one of the most diverse in the country.  We are committed to supporting the talent needs of tech employers, strengthening the ecosystem and providing access to capital,” said Karen Fegely, Acting Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “Congratulations to the prize winners from our Philadelphia Regional Startup World Cup Pitch Competition and all contenders for helping build the future of tech. We look forward to the impact that tech companies continue to have in Philadelphia.”

“We are committed to creating initiatives that help startups in Philadelphia to accelerate their growth and impact. The partnership with Temple University, an international powerhouse in higher education and one of the top research institutions in Philadelphia has been a success for the Philadelphia Regional Startup World Cup Pitch Competition,” said Tempest Carter, Director of Strategic Tech Initiatives, Office of Business Development, Department of Commerce. “The Department of Commerce works diligently to attract, retain, and support the growth of innovation companies in Philadelphia. Through these efforts, we will continue to support each tech company, based on their unique needs and journeys. When our tech community wins, Philadelphia wins.”

“We are proud to partner with the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce for a second year to bring the Startup World Cup to Philadelphia’s innovative startups, showcasing the strength of our city’s innovation ecosystem — and Temple’s role in helping to fuel it,” said Josh Gladden, PhD, Vice President for Research, Temple University. “Part of our goal was to bring the region’s startup and investment community together to support innovation, and we were especially excited to see three of the competing companies founded or co-founded by Temple alumni: My Monitor AI, UFarmX, founded by a Fox MBA alum and this year’s third-place winner, and BioLattice, co-founded by Fox MBA alum Linda Alunkal, which won first place. Both UFarmX and Linda, with her earlier startup BiteBrave, are also past winners of the Fox School’s Be Your Own Boss Bowl, highlighting Temple’s long tradition of cultivating entrepreneurial success. We will be cheering on BioLattice as they compete for $1 million in San Francisco, and we wish all of the presenting companies’ success with their businesses.”

PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PRIZE WINNERS

The three winners from the Philadelphia Regional Startup World Cup Pitch Competition:

  • First place winner – BioLattice
    • Awarded $20,000 from the Department of Commerce
    • Free 6-month Innovation Nest flex membership from Temple University
    • Contender: Amelia Zellander, Chief Executive Officer, BioLattice
    • Selected to pitch at the Startup World Cup, the largest startup competition globally
  • Second place winner – Vasowatch
    • Awarded $10,000 from the Department of Commerce
    • Free 6-month Innovation Nest flex membership from Temple University
    • Contender: Christine Rohan, Chief Executive Officer, Vasowatch
  • Third place winner – UfarmX
    • Awarded $5,000 from the Department of Commerce
    • Free 6-month Innovation Nest flex membership from Temple University
    • Contender: Alexander Zanders, Chief Executive Officer, UfarmX

“It is an honor to represent Philadelphia at the Startup World Cup, largest pitch competition in the world. I am deeply grateful for the support and the encouragement that I have received over the years from my Philadelphia community,” said Amelia Zellander, Chief Executive Officer, BioLattice. “The $20,000 received from the Department of Commerce will likely be allocated to some critical business administrative costs, which is very helpful. BioLattice is also appreciative of the flex membership benefits from Temple University’s Innovation Nest. I enjoyed engaging with the attendees of the Philadelphia Regional Startup World Pitch Competition, especially learning from other founders. I loved the community spirit of the event.”

“Vasowatch is $50,000 away from locking in $450,000 of follow-on funding to start our 300-patient clinical pilot for our postpartum hemorrhage risk prediction technology at Pennsylvania Hospital.  The Startup World Cup prize money from the Department of Commerce will go toward closing that funding gap,” said Christine Rohan, Chief Executive Officer, Vasowatch. “The Philadelphia Regional Startup World Cup Pitch Competition also provided great visibility and access to other investors that could support our round. The SWC pitch mentors gave critical feedback that took my pitch to the next level. The cohort was high quality and supportive. The audience included past and future investors as well as a range of interested and supportive stakeholders. The pitch competition organization was top notch. The prize money will be very helpful in starting our trial at Pennsylvania Hospital.”

“The funding is much appreciated and so are the membership benefits from Temple University’s Innovation Nest. This initiative means a lot to us. It will help us push forward our mission in scaling access to finance for underserved farmers on the continent of Africa,” said Alexander Zanders, Chief Executive Officer, UfarmX. “The Philadelphia Regional Startup World Pitch Competition experience was amazing. It was very well put together and the choice of venue made it a more personal and intimate experience allowing for everyone to engage.”

The additional contenders that competed were:

PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL COMPETITION JUDGES

The competition judges from the Philadelphia Startup World Cup Pitch Competition were:
  • Barthalomew Sillah, Vice President, Center for Capital Investment, The Enterprise Center
  • Glen Gaddy, Managing Director, Launch Fund, University of Delaware, Managing Member at Robin Hood Ventures & Chair of Mid Atlantic Diamond Ventures
  • Jen Gilberg, Deputy Secretary of Technology & Entrepreneurship, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
  • Kathie Jordan, Ph.D. Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Group, SE BFTP
  • Mengyue (J.P.) Li, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Universal Health Group Inc. and Professor, University of Pennsylvania
  • Nick Martin, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, Carbon Reform (2024 first place winner of the Philadelphia Startup World Cup Pitch Competition)
  • Schnearia Ashley, Senior Vice President, Truist Commercial Banking

For more information about the Startup World Cup, visit: https://www.startupworldcup.io/ 

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