PHILADELPHIA — The Department of Commerce, in partnership with Temple University, hosted the third annual Philadelphia Regional Tech Startup World Cup Pitch Competition announcing GreenIRR Inc., Sonura Care, and Mexar as the three winners. GreenIRR Inc. 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 additional benefits including funding from the Department of Commerce and membership in Temple University’s Innovation Nest. Images are available here.
“Philadelphia is home to talented entrepreneurs with bold ideas, and we want them to start, grow and succeed right here in our city,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “These companies show the strength of Philadelphia’s innovation community and what is possible when we connect people with the resources and opportunities they need to compete. As One Philly, a United City, we are working to make sure economic opportunity reaches every neighborhood.”
“Philadelphia is growing as a global hub of innovation, driving jobs and investment. Tech companies strengthen our economy and position Philadelphia to compete on the global stage,” said Karen Fegely, Acting Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “The caliber of our judges and our contestants demonstrate Philadelphia’s strength in the tech and startup world. Good things are happening here. Congratulations to all of the contenders in our third annual Philadelphia Regional Startup World Cup Pitch Competition. We are dedicated to keep supporting businesses of all sizes and industries across the city.”
“Philadelphia has a strong and growing tech ecosystem. It is an absolute pleasure to convene these talented founders through initiatives that help them forge new collaborations, access capital, connect with key investors and create new pathways for growth,” said Tempest Carter, Director of Strategic Tech Initiatives, Office of Business Development, Department of Commerce. “The testimonials from tech companies affirm to me that what we do matters. The partnership with Temple University, an international powerhouse in higher education and one of the top research institutions in Philadelphia has been a success. I am so proud of all the contenders and look forward to seeing what these founders build next. When our tech community wins, Philadelphia wins.”
PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL PRIZE WINNERS
The three winners from the Philadelphia Regional Startup World Cup Pitch Competition:
- First place winner – GreenIRR Inc.
- Awarded $25,000 from the Department of Commerce and Citadel Credit Union
- Free 6-month Innovation Nest flex membership from Temple University
- Contender: Celine King, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GreenIRR Inc.
- Selected to pitch at the Startup World Cup, the largest startup competition globally
- Second place winner – Sonura Care
- Awarded $10,000 from the Department of Commerce
- Free 6-month Innovation Nest flex membership from Temple University
- Contender: Gabriella Daltoso and Sophie Ishiwari, Co-Founders, Sonura Care
- Third place winner – Mexar
- Awarded $5,000 from the Department of Commerce
- Free 6-month Innovation Nest flex membership from Temple University
- Contender: Roland Washington, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mexar
“Representing Philadelphia on a global stage is a privilege I don’t take lightly, and I hope it shows the world what our tech and startup ecosystem is capable of. Growing up outside the city and now building my company here is deeply personal,” said Celine King, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GreenIRR Inc. “I am feeling the support of this community, and this means everything to me. GreenIRR will use the first-place award towards our European patent filing, which will help protect our technology internationally in a market that leads the world in sustainable regulation and practice. We’re just getting started, and our goal is to continue partnering with Philadelphia’s logistics providers and local businesses to help keep our city’s air as clean as possible.”
“This competition provided valuable exposure to investors and subject matter experts, and we were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to present,” said Sophie Ishiwari, Co-Founders, Sonura Care. “As a winner we will use these benefits to set up our manufacturing process and wrap up our clinical study.”
“We’re a proud Philadelphia based company working to reduce deaths and injuries caused by extreme heat. The support we’ve gotten from the city and its partners over the course of the competition has both helped our exposure to the investment community in Philly and connected us to strategic partners and potential customers,” said Roland Washington, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mexar. “The winnings we’ve received from the competition will be used to fund a segment of our R&D.”
The additional contenders who competed were:
- Ajay Bordoloi, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, FlowEHR
- Benjamin Ferleger, Co-Founder, Earable Intelligence
- Cody Eddings, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, SnapRefund
- Daniel Foy, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AgriGates
- Ethan Berg, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Phyll
- Felicite Moorman, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, BOSS.Tech
- Jordan Blackwell, Co-Founder, Siah Labs
All top 10 contenders are recipients of free tickets to Innovation Weekend from 1Philadelphia with special introductions to investors during the Capital House event.
PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL COMPETITION JUDGES
The competition judges from the Philadelphia Startup World Cup Pitch Competition were:
- Alicia Gresham, Chief Executive Officer, Pennsylvania Hospital
- Brian Slough, Of Counsel at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
- Jen Gilburg, Deputy Secretary of Technology & Entrepreneurship, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
- Madhav Gopal, Board Member, Citadel Credit Union
- Mellie Chow, Venture Partner, Archangel Axion Fund
- Michael E. Adler, Esquire, Adler Consulting Strategies LLC
- Ronald Hovey, Commissioner, Procurement Department, City of Philadelphia
- Shelton Mercer III, Founder and Chairman, The Mercer Advisory Group and Mercer Innovation
- Sushma Rajagopalan, Partner at Rittenhouse Ventures
- Vincent Perez, Founder and CEO, Long View Partners
For more information about the Startup World Cup, visit: https://www.startupworldcup.io/