12 Semi-Finalists Named by 2014 TCC StartUp Cup

Tulsa Community College names the 12 semi-finalists in the 2014 TCC StartUp Cup business model competition. The competition is powered by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation with the first place winner receiving $30,000, second place, $5,000 and third place, $2,500.

This year’s competition has been streamlined to a five-month competition window but still features mentoring and coaching from area business leaders as a key component of the process. The 2014 competition added a networking and coaching event open to all of the entrepreneurs who entered this year’s competition. A number of the entrepreneurs found it helpful to be connected to other entrepreneurs.

“The contestants had the opportunity to learn from Tulsa’s most successful entrepreneurs while the coaches were able to pay it forward with their knowledge and expertise. We added this event to the competition to ensure everyone who submitted their business model had access to mentoring and coaching,” said Autumn Worten, TCC StartUp Cup chair.

The 12 semi-finalists will advance to the next round and meet one-on-one with coaches before pitching their business model and product to a panel of judges on Sept. 25.

Bike Barn is a mobile, multi-unit bicycle locker service that can be placed at companies, restaurant districts, or large community events to provide safe storage places for those who prefer pedal power as their form of transportation.

Cook Time with Remmi is a health-based cooking show for kids and is a creative way to address the childhood obesity issue by linking the skill of cooking to improved nutrition.

FenceTrac Fence Systems, Inc. is the creator of a new picket fence design that simplifies picket installation and creates a low maintenance privacy fence that resists warping.

Find Me Tornado Safety is an app for smartphones that utilizes GPS software to locate a subscriber in need of assistance following a tornado.

GreenFoot Energy is the designer of a solar powered micro exhaust fan with battery back-up and motion sensitive LED light to be mounted or retrofitted to portable buildings.

idefi Group, LLC is an online marketing platform providing musicians with opportunities to promote their music via competitions aimed at generating fan support through viral marketing campaigns created by brands and ad agencies.

J. Vogt Designs is the creator of the Fuseman Safety Stick, a patent-pending tool designed to safely remove and replace plug fuses in old style fuse panels.

Mobius Enterprises, LLC is the creator of the Proteus Ball, a new fitness product designed to accommodate everyone from the professional athlete to the average person looking to increase core strength and balance with one simple solution.

Nourish Drink Café makes superfood smoothies that are hand-crafted and blended from only plant based, whole food products for a nutritious on-the-go drink without any added sugars, yogurts or ice cream.

OP Left, LLC is a veteran-owned company that makes specialty, precision-cut acrylic measurement tools for use on U.S. and NATO military maps not currently available in the field.

Peritus Resource Group is the developer of ARsite, a patent-pending system that tracks people, machines and equipment in 3D space in real time and can act as a safety monitor and notification system.

Smart Panel LLC produces a home energy management product which is mounted on a circuit breaker of homes and small commercial buildings and can be managed by a smartphone app to monitor electricity consumption and turn off/on rooms or devices in the home.

The finalists will be announced Sept. 30 and will complete a final round of coaching before pitching before judges on Nov. 6. The 2014 TCC StartUp Cup winner will be announced on Nov. 18 during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The TCC StartUp Cup is designed to support entrepreneurial growth, expand business and community connections, and maximize promotional opportunities both locally and nationally. A study released earlier this summer shows the business model competition and the participants have a significant economic impact creating 300 full-time jobs and 2,000 part-time or contract positions and adding more than $85.1 million to the Tulsa economy. The TCC StartUp Cup is based on a coaching and mentoring structure. Former participants says it is one of the most valuable aspects of the business model competition with 70 percent of TCC StartUp Cup finalists still in operation compared to the national average of 25 percent.

For more information on the award, visit www.tcc.startupcup.com.