The four hottest startups in DC were crowned this week, at least according to the DC Challenge Cup. They’ll hit the global stage next May to compete against startups from all over the world, but we caught up with them first.
EdBacker, which won the "education" category, consolidates all the activities needed to run a PTA into a single platform, from fundraising to putting together a newsletter. Founder Gary Hensley, middle, with colleagues Mary Ellen Matheson and Cliff Andrews, says the company started a few years ago as just a fundraising tool but realized PTAs needed more. The company, which has been housed in 1776 since it opened its doors, has individual school and state PTAs as customers. The three-person company has raised some friends and family money and is now raising a $500k seed round. It’s also wooed DC serial entrepreneurs like Michael Chasen and Craig Cummings to its advisory board and as investors.
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1EQ took home the "healthcare" award for its Babyscripts product. Co-founder Anish Sebastian (not pictured) says it lets obstetricians remotely monitor pregnancies without having to examine the patient in the office. (Co-founder Juan Pablo Segura presented the business to Challenge Cup judges earlier this week.) The provider, which pays $200-$350 per patient, can see if a pregnancy goes from low-risk to high-risk by collecting blood pressure and weight readings from Bluetooth and WiFi-enabled devices. Launched over a year ago, the DC startup is working with George Washington University Medical Faculty associates and Duke Medicine. The seven-person company has raised $1.1M from DC area angels.
BaseTrace, the "energy" winner, is developing a technology that applies DNA biotechnology to energy issues. Co-founder Justine Chow Kmiecik says liquid tracers (seen here) created by the company can be added to fluid to track potential contaminants in drinking water. Founded in 2012, the five co-founders, based in Research Triangle Park, NC, met at Duke while studying environmental management. The company has one alpha customer and a testing partner, both nuclear power plant companies.
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Local Roots Farms, the "cities" winner, developed an urban indoor farming system that can grow produce year-round using hydroponics. The company, co-founded by Dan Kuenzi, works with produce buyers, retailers, distributors, and hospitality firms to explore options for integrating local, indoor agriculture solutions into their product offerings. Local Roots also works with policy councils and outreach programs to teach youth about local farming.
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