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Does your startup have the right stuff?

October 23, 2014
/ Carlton Proctor
/ economy

Ten Pensacola area startup company finalists will be competing for $215,000 in cash and prizes during Innovation Coast’s 2014 Innovation Awards event at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front Nov. 6-7. Said to be the largest business plan competition in Florida’s recent history, the awards program will be highlighted by keynote speaker Lars Perkins. A noted entrepreneur, explorer, filmmaker, inventor and NASA advisory board member, Perkins is the former CEO of the image viewing website Picasa, which was acquired by Google a decade ago. “This event is a very big deal for drawing attention to the great technology and innovation happening in our area,” said Debbie Williams, a spokesperson for Innovation Coast. “It’s such a win for technology progress in this region. Companies selected as finalists are competing for cash and prizes worth more than $215,000, making this the largest business plan competition in Florida’s history, Williams said. Microsoft is awarding qualifying companies and start-ups with software, support, development tools and more to help build the local businesses. In addition, Microsoft will award the three most promising software development entries a “Microsoft BizSpark Plus” subscription, $60,000 value in Microsoft software and Azure services. Innovation Coast is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to develop the region’s technology community, attract potential technology companies and entrepreneurs and actively recruit talent for member companies. The group’s membership includes such prominent locally based companies as AppRiver, Avalex, Global Business Solutions, Gulf Power, Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and IMS Expert Services. For more information about the event or to buy tickets, click here.

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Does your startup have the right stuff?

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