MIT Enterprise Forum of South Florida, Startup Palm Beach and Miami Innovation Fund are partnering in the 4th Annual “Geek Tank”, an event geared at getting early stage startups recognition and capital. Anyone with a tech driven startup or innovative idea can apply via Gust, submitting through the online investment portal’s website by answering a few basic questions.
MIT has hosted this event 3 times in the past, featuring angel backed fintech startup Waleteros out of Miami in 2014, who received a $25,000 term sheet but declined the aggressive valuation. This year, four winners will be chosen from the Gust group and chosen to present to a panel of early stage investors including Chris Callahan, founder of Startup Palm Beach Capital, Jack Karabees, co-founder of the Miami Innovation Fund, and Andrew Heitner, principal at Alcon Partners. In addition, Howard Gitten, technology lawyer at full service, international firm Locke Lorde, is organizing and sponsoring the event with $5,000 credit in a legal retainer, enough to help incorporate and/or advise as needed, and Peter Haines, of Horizon Growth Advisors, is providing $5,000 in-kind consulting services to the winner.
The winner will be announced live at the night of the event, scheduled from 6:30pm-9pm at Keiser University, 2600 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $30 until September 15th and $35 after that.
MIT Enterprise Forum of South Florida is an entrepreneur support organization comprised of technology enthusiasts from Jupiter to Miami. They host 10 events per year including CEO Roundtable Breakfasts, high-tech Demos, panels, and holiday parties. The non-profit was formed in 2003 with a mission to provide educational programs and services that promote and strengthen innovation at the intersection of business and technology.
This will be the largest business plan competition and idea accelerator in Palm Beach County, which is becoming a hotbed for entrepreneurs. Both the private and public sector are collaborating to ensure we do not continue to suffer from brain drain or lack of infrastructure.
The recently formed coalition Palm Beach Technology Association is helping unite the voices and provide discounted rates to coworkers in Downtown West Palm Beach. The City of West Palm Beach is doing it’s part with the support of the Business Development Board and the Economic Council, who are headed on a Leadership Trip to Denver, Co. for Startup Week. The upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Week in November is in it’s 5th year fostering collaboration not only to showcase entrepreneurs but also to help catalyze new companies at Startup Weekend.
To Register for the Event, click here:http://bit.ly/GeekTank2016
To Apply as a Startup:http://bit.ly/GeekTank10KChallenge
Submitted by Startup Palm Beach