Entrepreneurs, Tech Enthusiasts Converge in Miami to Compete at eMerge Techweek Launch

MIAMI, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- eMerge Americas Techweek today formally announced registration is now open for early-stage and later-stage companies in the Americas region to apply to compete at the 1^st Annual eMerge Techweek Launch competition. Entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts will converge in Miami on May 5 – 6 at eMerge Americas Techweek, where they will highlight the latest and most innovative technology solutions.

With participants hailing from throughout the Americas and representing both early and later stage enterprises, semi-finalists will compete and present live at the eMerge Americas Techweek expo. Finalists will be selected for both tracks by a panel of judges. Winners in each track will be awarded with prizes equivalent to $150,000 in cash and in-kind services from companies like Greenberg Traurig and Rackspace.

"We love working with events like eMerge Americas, which help identify some of the top startups from around the world," Graham Turney, senior manager, Rackspace^® Startup Program said. "With Rackspace's Fanatical Support, these startups are free to focus on building their businesses, while we worry about their hosting infrastructure."  

The Launch will feature the best early and later stage companies from throughout the Americas thanks to special partnerships with incubators and accelerators from Latin America, Caribbean and the United States such as Argentina's NXTP Labs, Brazil's 21212, Chile's Startup Chile, Colombia's iNNpulsa and HubBog, Mexico's Angel Ventures, Endeavor Global, and the multi-regional 500 Startups and Wayra. In addition, companies from around the world and startups supported by South Florida-based organizations like Venture Hive, Rokk3r Labs, Miami Innovation Center, the Technology Business Incubator at Florida Atlantic University, The Launch Pad, and Refresh Miami will also take part in the competition.

The Launch will provide a mix of services and cash prizes broken into the following:

• Later Stage Challenge – The top companies will be selected to present to judges with the winner(s) receiving a mix of services and cash prizes equivalent to $100,000.

• Early Stage Challenge – The top early-stage ventures will be selected to present to judges with the winner(s) receiving a mix of services and cash prizes equivalent to $50,000.

In addition, the Miami Innovation Fund will award a $50,000 Letter of Intent to an early stage South Florida technology venture selected through a "Shark Tank" style competition hosted eMerge Americas Techweek.

For more information and criteria to apply for the eMerge Techweek Launch competition, please visit http://emergeamericas.org/experience/exhibitions/challenge. 

About eMerge Americas Techweek

eMerge Americas Techweek aims to serve as the preeminent innovative thought exchange and transform Miami into the technological hub of the Americas. By connecting global industry leaders and investors with the America's top business executives, IT decision-makers, and innovative entrepreneurs, new partnerships will be forged that will spur visionary innovation and technological advancements in the Americas for the betterment of business and society. Summits focused on healthcare, entertainment and media, finance, cities, and education will address the most pressing issues of today and provide solutions and resources to continue the rapid advances of the 21st century. eMerge Americas Techweek Founding Partners are Greenberg Traurig, P.A., the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Medina Capital and Miami-Dade County. For more information about eMerge Americas Techweek, please visit: www.emergeamericas.org.

SOURCE eMerge Americas