New Competition for University and Incubator Startups Launches at the Connected World Conference During the 2014 Chicago Auto Show

2014 Chicago Auto Show Connected World Conference 2014

CHICAGO--Dec. 27, 2013: You may be reading about the next Steve Jobs in the April/May 2014 issue of Connected World magazine when the winners from the first annual startup competition are announced. Startups located in incubators and universities are encouraged to throw their hats into the ring for a shot at national press and notoriety during the Connected World Competition for Media Coverage (February 8-16 at the Chicago Auto Show). Selected entrants will be given show space on the Auto Show floor and a shot at competing for national media coverage in Connected World magazine.

“We’re inviting the national investor community to attend this special event. They’ll have open access to all groups that participate. We truly hope that our competitors emerge from our conference with both fortune and fame”

Startups within universities and incubators that are working on technologies involving any type of data collection or remote operations technologies are invited to participate in this unique competition. These technologies can include monitoring and tracking devices, drone technologies, monitoring and control apps for home, fitness, healthcare, security, vehicle technologies, supply-chain technologies, or remote manufacturing technologies. If a startup’s hardware or software has been or is being developed that utilizes data gathered remotely, or accesses transmits or controls anything via a data network, then it is a candidate for this competition.

“We’re inviting the national investor community to attend this special event. They’ll have open access to all groups that participate. We truly hope that our competitors emerge from our conference with both fortune and fame,” says Peggy Smedley, editorial director for Connected World magazine.

All qualifying applicants who are awarded showcase space will be given the opportunity to deliver a seven-minute judged pitch during the first round of the competition in the Connected World Start-Up Pavilion. Only 15 applicants will advance to the final round and will have the opportunity to present a 20-minute judged pitch. The winners will receive coverage in Connected World magazine. All applicants must have an on-going startup; this is not a business plan competition.

Incubators applicants compete February 8-14 with final judging on February 14. University applicants compete February 15-16 with final judging February 16. Applications are being accepted at Survey Monkey CWCapp. Competition is open for application from now until Jan. 18, 2014.