Startup Pitch Contest Judged by All-Star VCs and New "TechTalks" Kickoff Boston TechJam

BOSTON, June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET on June 12, six startups will kick off the largest and most diverse innovation event in the region when they take the stage and pitch their business ideas to an all-star panel of local VCs. The "Startup Pitch Heard 'Round the World" opens the second Boston TechJam and is a Shark Tank-like event where new entrepreneurs vie for exposure, expert coaching and potential investor and startup accelerator partners.

In between the startup pitches, five celebrated Boston-area entrepreneurs and founders from Aquto, Blade, Care.com, Constant Contact and Harpoon Brewery will share their own success stories in Boston TechJam's new series of TechTalks.

Boston TechJam, founded by Apperian CMO Mark Lorion and MassTLC Director Christine Nolan, has pulled together a panel of the area's leading venture capitalists including Chip Hazard, general partner, Flybridge Capital Partners; James Geshwiler, managing director, CommonAngels; Katie Rae, managing director, Techstars Boston; and Peter Boyce II, co-founder, Rough Draft Ventures.

Nearly 50 startups competed for just six "Startup Pitch Heard 'Round The World" contest slots. Teams range from first-time high-school entrepreneurs, to a Bitcoin startup, to consumer photo and music tech and include:

• BitCoin Nation – software to access cash for bitcoins on existing ATM
• Energy Harvesters LLC – mobile charger fueled by walking to let users be their own power source
• Increment – sensory toys that foster development skills, regardless of kids' age, ability or gender
• Moodsnap – delivers mood-based playlists inspired by images
• Sharalike – Sorts your photo tsunami, selects the best pictures and creates animated slideshows in seconds
• TimeOut by SKARA & Co. – baseline and on-site mobile concussion testing app for athletes

To prepare, the startups attended a pitch class led by Bob Mason, co-founder, Brightcove and mentor at Techstars Boston, and Michael Sattler, co-founder and CEO, Splitzee and moderator of the Boston Pitch Club. The startups were also paired with the following mentors, including Michael Sattler, for one-on-one coaching: Annette Reynolds, executive director, 128 Innovation Capital Group; Jay Batson, mentor in residence, Techstars Boston and partner member, CommonAngels; Jeffrey Beir, founder, Seed2A startup advisory; and Julia Austin, principal, Austinfish startup advisory.

New this year is the TechTalk series, which will offer insider tips and inspire both aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Alternating with the startup pitches, the following successful local entrepreneurs will unveil and reflect on pivotal business moments that put them on the path to success:

• Andy Miller, chief innovation architect at Constant Contact  
• Brian Kalma, head of UX at new consumer incubator Blade
• Donna Levin, co-founder of Care.com
• Richard Doyle, co-founder of Harpoon Brewery
• Susie Kim Riley, founder of Aquto

The "Startup Pitch Heard 'Round the World" and TechTalks event is just $10 to attend and open to all ages with 100 percent of admissions supporting computing education in Massachusetts through the MassTLC Education Foundation.

After the "Startup Pitch Heard 'Round the World" concludes at 4:00 p.m., the 21+ tech block party and innovation festival in Boston City Hall Plaza runs until 9:00 p.m. Here, 3,000 attendees will network, explore tech innovations, enjoy "street festival"-type games and activities hosted by more than 75 area tech companies, listen to live bands from the tech industry and enjoy local art, craft beer from Harpoon Brewery and local food trucks.

To register for the event and get the most up-to-date information regarding the event including timing, logistics, sponsors and partners please visit www.bostontechjam.org and follow updates at @bostontechjam.

Boston TechJam is supported by Constant Contact, Continuum Managed IT Services, Dyn, EnerNOC, HP, Kronos Incorporated, LogMeIn, Monster, Carbonite's women in tech initiative SaaSy and Wayfair and collaborators include Apperian, City of Boston, East Coast Catalyst, Greenhorn Connect, Idea Week Boston, Launch Academy, MassChallenge, MassTLC, MITX, New England Venture Capital Association, Presskit.to, SHIFT Communications, and TUGG.

About Boston TechJam
Boston TechJam is a showcase and accelerator for new ideas and world-class innovations coming out of the Boston region. The event brings together early stage companies, entrepreneurs, students, established enterprises, venture capitalists and artists to celebrate the region's technology, entrepreneurship and culture. Equal parts idea exchange and celebration, Boston TechJam is an unconventional meeting ground for local innovators, visionaries and up-and-comers. The 21+ event will take place June 12, 2014 in Boston City Hall Plaza.

Media Contact:
Sarah Borup
SHIFT Communications
[email protected]

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SOURCE Boston TechJam