Coolest Startup Top 10 Finalists Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Decides Top 10 Finalists for First Annual Coolest Startup Award 

CHICAGO – September 09, 2013 – The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) announced today the Top 10 finalists in the first annual Coolest Startup award in conjunction with the 6th Annual Momentum Awards to be held on October 2nd at Millennium Park.

The Top 10 Finalists are:

• Caremerge
• Conferences.io
• Fundology
• Georama
• Lock
• Peter Field Custom
• PrettyQuick
• SceneTap
• Shotfarm
• StyleSeek

“The CEC is thrilled with the community’s response to this exciting new award. With over 5,000 votes for Chicago’s Coolest Startup, it is apparent that there are many incredible companies in our city with loyal users and supporters cheering them on,” said Jim O’Connor Jr., Co-Chairman of the CEC Board of Directors and interim CEO. “We look forward to the next pitching round and who will officially be crowned the winner on October 2nd at the Momentum Awards Gala,” he added.

All ten startup finalists have been invited to pitch on September 12th at 1871 in front of their fans and a panel of judges. Each startup will pitch for 3-minutes, with a 2-minute Q&A to follow. Six finalists will be chosen that night, based on traction/growth, revenue/profitability, team/story, business segment/opportunity, and their presentation. All six finalists will showcase their startup during the Momentum Awards, while the top three will pitch once again to more than 1,000 attendees (who will be live-voting to ultimately crown the Coolest Startup in Chicago).

The community is invited to attend the Chicago’s Coolest Startup – Pitch Night on September 12th as well. Those interested in attending can register at https://www.eventbrite.com/event/7870628261.

The 6th annual Momentum Awards will be held on October 2, 2013 at Millennium Park. For more information or to register, visit www.CECMomentumAwards.org.

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About the Coolest Startup Award

The Coolest Startup Award is a citywide effort to identify Chicago’s coolest startup and bring greater recognition to the city’s dynamic entrepreneurial community. Nominated companies must be based in Chicago, be less than 3 years old, and have fewer than 15 employees.

About the CEC

The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) is a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs on their path to building high-growth, sustainable businesses that serve as platforms for economic development and civic leadership. Its flagship project, 1871, fulfills CEC’s vision of a central address for entrepreneurs in Chicago. CEC runs and operates the workspace, develops programming, organizes events and ensures that the culture of 1871 allows entrepreneurs the greatest opportunity for success.

About the Momentum Awards Dinner

The Momentum Awards Dinner is the most important night of the year for entrepreneurship in Chicago, and the biggest celebration of the thriving community of Chicago entrepreneurs. By bringing together Fortune 500 CEOs, leading Private Equity and Venture Capital investors, successful entrepreneurs, educational leaders, and entrepreneurs starting out, the Momentum Awards is a meeting place for the entire community to share success stories and set the tone for the future, all while benefiting the ever-important entrepreneurs that make Chicago great. All proceeds benefit CEC programming and economic development efforts.