“Get in the Ring: The North American Startup Clash” Semifinalists Advolve Media Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) Advolve Media offers a digital network of interactive, technologically advanced advertising mediums. For example, its Mirage Mirror displays motion-activated digital messages in restrooms of popular venues. Bryce North has five years’ experience in the marketing/ advertising industry. Prior to Advolve Media, he successfully launched two startup companies while helping consult others. He has competed with multiple ventures in many business-plan and venture competitions, winning multiple awards for his execution in technology and business strategy implementations. Bryce’s background includes ten years of sales and customer relations experience, selling technology and related services. He has vast knowledge in technical systems, basic programming, and integrated hardware systems. Bryce earned a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree from the University of Manitoba in both entrepreneurship and marketing. Atlantia Search Mexico City (Mexico) Atlantia Search helps businesses and individuals make better decisions through expert analytical reports. Atlantia Search connects its clients to an international pool of experts through an online platform, democratizing the access to specialized information. Juan José Mora, the CEO and cofounder of Atlantia Search, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of A Coruña, Spain, with an emphasis in applied economics. He has more than six years of experience with non-governmental organizations in various countries, working at a national executive level in fields related to communications, information management, and sales. More recently, he was a senior consultant who designed and ran projects with companies such as Coca‐Cola/FEMSA, Intel, and Grupo Herdez. For more than two years, he led a team of seventeen members as sales director in Enersave, an energy savings company, doubling the revenue of the company each year. Briteseed Chicago, Illinois (United States) Briteseed is a medical-device company dedicated to fostering innovative technologies that benefit patients and reduce health care costs. Its SafeSnips technology accomplishes both of these goals by integrating real-time blood vessel detection into existing laparoscopic and robotic cutting devices. Paul Fehrenbacher, president and CEO, leverages his years of experience in management as well as his clinical medical training from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine to lead Briteseed’s strategic initiatives. Among other roles, Paul has previously served as a partner in an investment firm, director of a surgical center in Haiti, director of pre-clinical evaluation at a biotechnology company, and oversaw research for a large clinical trials unit at Washington University. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with highest distinction and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. ContratosApp Mexico City (Mexico) ContratosApp is a mobile app to simplify contract agreements and automate legal notifications. It lets users create legal, binding contracts in an accessible language and with the option of signing wherever they are. Ignacio Bermeo has practiced law throughout his professional career, developing multiple businesses along the way. He created a magazine called TUSABOGADOS: Legal Terms for Everyone; created a site for legal consultation called tusabogados.com; and owned an Apple Authorized Training Center, where he learned and taught how to develop apps for iPhone and iPad. At the same time, Ignacio started a small agency called TailorMade-Apps, where he developed mobile apps for small and large clients. He then enrolled in the Founder Institute—being accepted from 300 applicants—and graduated in September, having already raised $90,000 for his company. FitBark Kansas City, Missouri (United States) FitBark is the world’s smallest wireless activity monitor for dogs. By combining wearable technology and sophisticated design, it helps pet owners understand their dog’s health and behavior, so they can take better care of their canine companions. Davide Rossi, before becoming cofounder and CEO of FitBark, served as an investment banker with Deutsche Bank in New York, where he advised financial technology clients on capital raises and mergers and acquisitions. Previously, Davide designed Ferrari engines, co-founded BRM Model Cars, and was an oil and gas project and sales manager for Socotherm in Asia and the Middle East. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Universita’ degli Studi di Padova in Italy, a Masters of Business Administration from the MIT School of Management, and has studied at UCLA and the IESE Business School in Spain. Hydrobee Seattle, Washington (United States) Hydrobee has created a renewable energy platform to provide backup power for USB devices. Its portable USB turbine generates personal power from nature, through things such as water, wind, sun, fire or human exertion. Burt Hamner has spent 20 years bringing clean technologies to the developing world for the United Nations, the World Bank and others; then he invented new hydrokinetic technologies to make renewable energy from flowing water in rivers and canals. After selling his first company, he founded Hydrobee SPC to bring personal, renewable energy to millions of people. Burt’s experience in developing countries inspired him to make the Hydrobee affordable for millions in poverty using micropayments over mobile phones accounts. He is a professor, trainer, author and musician who has won several national prizes for his two clean-energy startups. Identified Technologies Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (United States) Identified Technologies uses unmanned aerial systems for data gathering and sensing in hazardous environments. It delivers fast, safe and more frequent data to energy and construction companies using an unmanned aerial vehicle and docking system, all without any human intervention. Dick Zhang is the founder and CEO of Identified Technologies. His background includes project management roles at both Bristol-Myers Squibb and Goldman Sachs. Dick is an engineer by training, having earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mechanical engineering and applied mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he actively supports science, technology, engineering and math education by mentoring and coaching Pittsburgh middle and high school students through the FIRST Robotics Competition. Maieutic Oakville, Ontario (Canada) Maieutic has developed a unique die- and surface-casting technology called a “programmable surface.” It comprises an array of pins whose individual heights can be adjusted via Lorrentz force, allowing users to compensate for variations that arise in the manufacturing process. Asif Khan is the CEO of Maieutic and is one of its four cofounders. He received a bachelor’s of applied science degree in nanotechnology engineering at the University of Waterloo, where he currently is a master’s student studying the use of artificial intelligence in designing microfluidic chips. Asif is passionate about new technologies and how they can be used to impact society. Petsy.mx Colonia Roma, Cuauhtémoc (Mexico) Petsy.mx is a leading e-commerce site for petcare products in Mexico. In addition to offering an extensive array of pet food and accessories, it provides exemplary customer service, free 24hour delivery in throughout Mexico City and an in-house veterinary team. Pablo Pedrejón García grew up in Madrid, Spain, where he earned joint B.S. and M.A. degrees in industrial engineering at ICAI and a J.D. in civil law from UNED. He has since earned a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and an M.A. in international affairs from the Lauder Institute. For three years, Pedro worked as a management consultant at Oliver Wyman in Europe and Brazil, and last summer worked as a business manager for Amazon in Seattle, Washington. PPLCONNECT Montreal (Canada) PPLCONNECT is a free mobile app which lets people access and use their smartphone from any web-enabled device. It gives users the flexibility to send and receive SMS messages on a computer, tablet or a second phone. Jenviev Azzolin’s passion lies in enabling positive social change by leveraging innovation and new technology in a meaningful way. She is an advocate of all things digital and believes that consumers now, more than ever, have the power to shape the future of products and brands. Driven by a desire to improve communications, Jenviev launched PPLCONNECT to empower users to continue their conversations seamlessly across devices (smartphone, computer, tablet) and across communication channels (SMS, messaging apps). As cofounder of PPLCONNECT, Jenviev currently oversees the company’s strategic direction, new opportunities, and central business functions. RocketJourney Monterrey (Mexico) Rocket Journey is a mobile app and website focused on behavorial-change and fitness. It helps people achieve their fitness goals through game mechanics, team accountability and online personal training. Carlos Ayala is the CEO and cofounder of Rocket Journey. He was born in Tucson, Arizona; raised in Obregon, Sonora, Mexico; and attended Missouri Military Academy (where he was a platoon leader and became the first student to earn the rank of officer in only one year). Carlos has a degree in economics from Tec de Monterrey, and studied in applied economics at Southern Methodist University and global management at Stanford University. He is a self-taught programmer specializing in objectoriented programming and databases. Carlos interned at Alta Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Monterrey, Mexico, and worked in the economics research department at Tec de Monterrey where he helped design a new formula to distribute the infrastructure funds in Mexico, preventing perverse incentives and guiding the efficient allocation of resources. The Rumie Initiative Toronto (Canada) The Rumie Initiative is a non-profit organization bringing free digital educational content to the world’s underprivileged children. It provides high-quality educational materials—ranging from books and lectures to exercises and games—through low-cost technology. Tariq Fancy founded Rumie in 2013 after a notable career at the intersection of the finance, technology, and emerging markets. He started his career as a Palo Alto-based tech-investment banker before joining New York City-based private-equity firm MHR Fund Management, where he became the firm’s youngest partner after leading numerous successful turnarounds of technology companies. Tariq’s investments in 2004 to bring mobile phones to emerging markets as a “leapfrog” innovation inspired Rumie; he sees the same “perfect storm” of market forces enabling a pragmatic, market-based solution to education that will drive another watershed moment in international development. ShopIndigenous.ca Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada) ShopIndigenous.ca is a one-stop-shop where artists can upload their current artwork, music, fashion, accessories and more to easily sell to a global audience. In addition, it provides an online platform to sellers who might be unable to build and maintain their own website. Heather Abbey is a Cree woman and single mother from Little Pine First Nation, currently residing in Saskatoon. She is the proud owner of ShopIndigenous.ca, currently rebranding as ShopIndig.ca, and has placed in seven business-planning competitions to create her e-commerce site for indigenous artisans. Heather credits the success of the site to the artisans themselves—it was built using feedback every step of the way— and the site is undergoing expansion through winter 2014. Spot On Sciences Austin, Texas (United States) Spot On Sciences develops and markets innovative devices that revolutionize the collection and storage of biological fluids for medical research and diagnostic testing. Its dried-blood-spot technology offers simplified remote blood collection, allowing anyone to take a blood sample at any time, anywhere. Jeanette Hill, founder and CEO of Spot On Sciences Inc., has more than 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical research. In her most recent position, she was the director of operations for a large biotech company where she managed multi-site operations, personnel and products for preclinical drug testing with revenue in excess of $20 million per year. Jeanette received a doctorate in bio-organic chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, with research in protein engineering, and completed post-doctoral research on liver disease and diabetes at Case Western Reserve University and Washington University Medical School. Torre Médica Metropolitana Colonia Condesa (Mexico) Torre Médica Metropolitana is a flexible office-sharing solution for physicians and other professionals related to the field of health. Medical professionals choose when and how often to use their space without the overhead of renting a traditional office. Jonathan Gilbert studied international relations at a private university in Mexico City where he began collaborating with his father’s dental clinic. From that experience, Jonathan has developed a new concept based on a clear guideline: Give medical practitioners the capability to use only the office-time they need, paying only for the services they need. For that purpose, Jonathan analyzed many business models which thrive from being flexible; from virtual offices to motels which charge by the hour. He says, “We have learned about construction, medicine, law, technology, and more. It has been fun, but more important than that, it has been enriching. I got to know my father as a partner. He has been my father for more than thirty years (and my boss from time to time) but having to make decisions together, considering that we have substantially different personalities, has been an incredibly rewarding experience.”