Helsinki to Host Innovate!100 Semi-Finalists on March 24

SAN FRANCISCO and HELSINKI, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovate!2010 is a global competition produced by Guidewire Group, the world's leading analyst firm focused exclusively on startups and emerging markets, to identify and promote 100 top technology startups from around the world. Helsinki will play host to the fifth regional 'Pitch Slam' event in the Innovate!2010 series on March 24th at Technopolis Innopoli 2.

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At the Helsinki Pitch Slam, a select group of twelve Innovate!100 semi-finalists will present rapid-fire pitches about their startup and receive invaluable feedback from a panel of expert judges including Sami Ahvenniemi (Partner, Conor Venture Partners), Hannu Jungman (Manager, Veraventure Ltd), Kristjan Laanemaa (Portfolio Manager, Ambient Sound Investments), Tuomas Maisala (Director, Spinno Enterprise Center) and Timo Tirkkonen (Partner, Inventure).

Startups will be evaluated using Guidewire Group's proprietary G/Score™ assessment methodology, and the G/Scores from the Helsinki Pitch Slam will be aggregated with the results from over 20 other Innovate!2010 Pitch Slam events being held this year to determine the Innovate!100 – an elite list of the top 100 technology, media and communications startups.

Innovate!100 semi-finalists presenting at the Helsinki Pitch Slam include:

AudioDraft: Web community for managing collaborative audio projects for audio producers and sourcing high quality audio productions for companies.

Click and Grow LLC: Innovative growing system for houseplants that does not require watering, fertilizing or any other kind of care - the whole process is taken care of by the sensors, processor and special software in the pot.

Fambit: Trusted service that allows families to privately discuss and manage their calendar, to do lists and other information online.

Fits.me: Virtual fitting room where online shoppers can see which size of clothing fits them the best, before making their online purchase.

Flowdock: Collaboration tool to keep your team organized and up-to-date with no effort.

Hipui: Solution for cross-platform mobile development that moves the whole app logic to a cloud platform where developers can use web technologies to build fully featured apps.

LumoFlow: Online collaboration environment for companies that aim at increasing information transparency, internal communication and social productivity.

Nomad Interaction: Innovative software solutions that help nomadic users to find services, enjoy their trip and share their experiences with their friends.

Relationship Games Oy Ltd: Online and real life social playground designed to strengthen, deepen, and add excitement to romantic relationships.

Sopima Oy: Easy-to-use Web service enabling quick and transparent contract processes, a better level of risk management and higher productivity.

United Dogs and Cats: Social networking site that unites pet owners so they can share their love for pets, ask for advice and get useful information that helps them take better care of their pets.

WOT Services Ltd: Community-based browser tool that gives users safer surfing, shopping and searching experiences on the Web.

Further information on the Innovate!2010 program and the schedule of upcoming Pitch Slam events can be found at www.innovate100.com. To attend the Helsinki Pitch Slam, sign up online at: http://2010pitchslamhelsinki.eventbrite.com/

About Innovate!2010

Innovate!2010 is a global competition to identify and promote the top 100 global technology start-ups. The program enables the most promising startups to gain access to resources and opportunities to accelerate the growth of their companies. Innovate!2010 also enables its partners, including technology and telecommunications vendors, government agencies, professional services providers, technology scouts and investors, to identify and engage hundreds of highly vetted, fast-growing startups and raise their brand profile in the global startup community. Innovate!2010 sponsors and partners include leading organizations like Alacatel-Lucent, BestBuy, Cisco, Comcast, DifferenceEngine, EMC, HP, HSBC, Hearst, IBM, LaPoste, LG Electronics, Microsoft, O2 Litmus, PWC, Quickstart Global, PayPal, RIM, SAP, Silicon Valley Bank, Sun Microsystems, Sony, SWIFT, Turner Broadcasting, Verizon, and the City of Zaragoza; as well as European and US economic development agencies, and dozens of leading angel and venture capital investors.

About Guidewire Group, Inc.

Guidewire Group is a global market intelligence and advisory firm passionate about technology entrepreneurship. Our exclusive focus on early-stage companies and emerging technology markets drives insight and opportunity to our clients and community. At the heart of our offerings is the G/Score™, a proprietary assessment tool that brings clarity and focus to the art of transforming ideas into successful enterprises. Developed over the course of more than 20,000 startup interviews, the G/Score has proven a reliable predictor of startup viability and promise. Our G/Score data helps technology investors, customers and platform vendors rapidly qualify and respond to startup deal flow from even thousands of startups. Our G/Score assessment tools help startups, investors, service providers and government agencies to identify and benchmark competitive strengths and weaknesses, and our Studio G business acceleration programs helps startups achieve their growth objectives with clarity of purpose, speed and efficiency.

For more information, contact:  Vanessa McDonald, [email protected], +44 (0)754 032 5319

SOURCE Guidewire Group, Inc.