Startups want to pitch to large companies. And large companies want startups to solve their tech problems. Why can't these Romeo and Juliets get together? Exhilarator's SwitchPitch event last week may have been the answer: 14 large companies like Motley Fool and LivingSocial pitched their tech-focused problems to 150 startups at 1776 in DC. Exhilarator organizers are now considering opening up the concept to federal and financial tech problems. But first it will try the same switch pitch concept in New York and other regions.
Exhilarator director Michael Goldstein says he's inspired to continue the event considering 300 startups applied to listen to pitches and it drew DC Mayor Vincent Gray and AOL founder Steve Case. But he sees a future where they can be bigger and is looking for an entrepreneur to take over the concept. He also announced that the DC-based accelerator, which works with five consumer-facing startups, will start offering a fee-based service where it will help serial entrepreneurs get a business concept off the ground. Michael says the startup factory will be one way Exhilarator can generate revenue.
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