LOUD Capital, an early-stage alternative investment venture capital firm, in partnership with the Chicago Bulls announced today the 20 semifinalists for the first-ever Chicago Bulls Venture Competition, powered By LOUD Capital (CBVC), a pitch challenge that will provide a platform for start-up entrepreneurs with the opportunity to prove the worth of their business idea and value to the Chicago community.
Making it to the semifinal round are 20 submissions that were evaluated based on: strength of management team; value proposition/unique advantage; relevance of market identification/target audience; scalability; intangibles and funding readiness; impact on the Chicago community; and clarity and presentation.
“Knowing that venture capital can be a very powerful and empowering pathway, we are always intentional about looking at historically underserved founders. I’m proud to say these 20 semifinalists are diverse and represent many different communities.”
Dr. Navin Goyal, co-founder and CEO of LOUD Capital.
- Eight of the 20 companies (40%) have at least one minority founder or co-founder
- Six of the 20 companies (30%) have at least one female founder or co-founder
Collective graduate of the second cohort of our program in Austin, TX, GamerJibe finds themselves among incredible company as result of the recognition.
GamerJibe is a platform for gamers and influencers to interact online. It enables gamers, game creators, and influencers to easily interact and do business with each other. GamerJibe allows online gamers to discover new games and other players, play games online with new friends, discuss topics such as gameplay strategy, and attend online virtual events.
Further Roster of the Chicago Bulls Venture Competition:
Charge Running
Charge Running is an app designed to enhance the running experience.
PromoShare
PromoShare is a peer-to-peer, word-of-mouth rewards platform for live events and brands.
FanFood
FanFood is a mobile ordering platform dedicated to enhancing the guest experience at live events.
TappedIn
TappedIn is a tech-enabled marketing and analytics company that connects consumers and the food and beverage industry at the critical point of purchase.
SplitGym
SplitGym is a peer-to-peer marketplace to buy and sell unused memberships at fitness studios and gyms.
Fanisko
Fanisko offers a one-stop fan engagement platform that helps brands increase mobile fan retention by using innovative digital engagement techniques while increasing revenue opportunities.
Pepper
Pepper is a connected cooking and nutrition platform. The Pepper smart kitchen scale, which offers integration with smart speaker Amazon Alexa, and guides the user with meal preparation and nutrition management.
Vous Vitamin
Vous Vitamin offers dietary supplements that use survey data and lifestyle information to create bespoke vitamin regimens for users.
Spotivity
Spotivity is a dynamic and interactive search, mapping, and education app that helps enable users to maximize after-school time.
Gather Voices
Gather Voices offers software that automates creation, management, and publishing of digital videos.
Bitewell
Bitewell is a tech platform that connects users with meals that match their macronutrient and dietary preferences and fitness goals.
Tipoff
Tipoff is a multicultural digital team wordplay game. Revenue comes from app store sales of the game.
Gameday
Gameday allows fans to buy and sell ownership in new and existing sports teams through a tokenized trading exchange.
Honest Game
More than 800,000 high school students each year find themselves academically ineligible for collegiate athletics.
Careband
Careband is a safety and security system for patients with dementia that provides caretakers the ability to track the location of the individual.
PeopleVine
PeopleVine is a brand engagement and rewards platform with a portal that gives customers a place to view activities, number of visits, and any earned points/dollars.
Aurora Tights
Aurora Tights is an athletic brand that sells tights in an array of skin tones.
Good Neighbor
Good Neighbor is a mobile platform that seeks to bolster communication and collaboration among neighbors.
StreamLayer
StreamLayer is an audience engagement company focused on changing the way we watch live video.
“After an overwhelming level of interest in the first Chicago Bulls Venture Competition, we are impressed by the talented group of Chicagoland entrepreneurs named as semifinalists.”
Matt Kobe, vice president of business strategy and analytics, Chicago Bulls.
- One winner will receive a $50,000 investment from LOUD Capital as well as legal, promotional, business development services that will be issued in phases.
- Each round of the challenge will be judged by Chicagoland professionals who have expertise in an array of sectors, including start-up development, professional sports, business, community engagement, and government.
- Five finalists and one winner will be announced at halftime during a Bulls home game at the United Center on March 10.
The remaining four contenders will have the option to work with Chicago-area startup incubator 1871 to continue to implement the content of their business plans to get their plans off the ground.
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