STUART — Out of a group of 31 submissions, the Top 10 semi-finalists of the Research Coast Business Competition has been narrowed to a final six announced by the founding members and board of directors of the Research Coast Principium Foundation, including Orange, LLC and Cross Core Technology in Indian River County.
They will compete with four others in a “Shark Tank” analysis of plans and ideas in front of a panel of experts on Thursday, March 6, in the Wolf High Technology Center at the Susan H. Johnson Auditorium of Indian River State College’s Chastain Campus in Stuart.
Through the Business Plan Competition, the 501(c)(3) Foundation seeks to bring together all the relevant elements of the Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties in support of business development and by creating jobs on the Research Coast.
As last year’s Principium Foundation Business Plan Competition front runners, the First Place winner will be awarded $25,000, a WQCS Underwriting package valued at $1,000 and a presentation slot at Florida Venture Forum’s 2014 Early Stage conference, including two passes to attend.
The Second Place winner will be awarded $15,000 and also be offered a WQCS Underwriting package valued at $1,000, receive two tickets to attend the Florida Venture Forum’s 2014 Early Stage conference and is welcome to apply to present at the event.
The six finalists are:
- Orange, LLC (Indian River County) – ORANGE is a family owned business that provides its customers with the highest quality, all natural, American made products including gourmet food items featuring Florida citrus, a spa line of citrus-infused bath and body products, as well as an ORANGE-inspired fashion and accessory line. One of the ORANGE team’s primary goals is to make the world a better place by improving the environment and quality of life. www.very-orange.com Greg Bublitz 772-946-1386.
- Cross Core Technology (Indian River County) – Cross Core is the technology leader in turnkey solutions for companies in the ‘Gift Card’ industry, whose 2014 size is projected to be $275 Billion. Founded in 2009, the company completed Beta Testing in 2012, and began production deliveries in 2013, where sales reached $3.9 Mil, essentially with a breakeven year. The company has an all-star line-up of industry veterans who bring strong engineering skills and an industry presence as engineering leaders. www.cross-core.us Wally Lowe 772-492-9383.
- Outlier Yachts-(Martin County) – The Outlier utilizes the Seven Marine 557hp outboard engines to create a “new” class of craft in a size range traditionally served by inboard power. This outboard solution offers more horsepower while reclaiming the “engine room space” for an expanded user experience. Outlier represents the next level of boat building for a technological centric world. www.outlier-yachts.com Jonathan Sadowsky 772-781-6301.
- ITS Fiber, LLC-(Martin County) – ITS Fiber is a high-growth broadband communications and data center operation serving business/commercial clients on the Research Coast of Florida. The overall company is a synergistic combination of voice and data services over fiber, managed IT/network services and video–with ITS Fiber, LLC representing the major growth driver. www.itsfiber.como Jeff Leslie 772-597-3767.
- Green Wing Group Vialle USA– (Martin County) – Green Wing Group is the exclusive North American Distributor of Vialle Alternative Fuel System’s AutoGas conversion kits. Vialle’s technology enables drivers to select clean burning Propane AutoGas or gasoline at the push of a button. AutoGas is domestically produced and can save over 50% when compared to gasoline. www.greenwinggroup.com Sean Barrett 772-223-7600.
- Venergy Group LLC –(St. Lucie County) – Venergy implements power quality correction and other energy savings technologies for large commercial and government customers. Their Advanced Metering and Power Quality solutions minimize energy losses, increase efficiency, analyze electrical energy usage, extend the life of motors, and reduce electrical costs 2-12%. www.venergygroup.com Corey Clive 561-676-8382.
The panelists leading the “Shark Tank” questions include venture capitalists: Kevin Burgoyne, Executive Director of Florida Venture Forum, the state’s premier organization connecting Florida growth companies with sources of capital, Dale Gregory, executive Vice President of Cherrystone Management Consultants, Inc. which provides strategic business development services to small and middle market businesses and Mike Gill, Chairman of Evergreen Advisors, a leading middle market investment bank focused on healthcare, telecom, information systems and cyber technology and Vinny Olmstead, founder of Vocap Investment Partners.
Sponsors include Bank of America, Indian River State College, Rossway Moore Swan, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, Vocap Investment Partners, Florida Venture Forum, Rehmann and CareerSource Research Coast, and WQCS 88.9 FM.
Attendees will receive a complimentary continental breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. followed by the 8:30 a.m. program that will conclude at noon. The opportunity to network with the experts, attending business mentors and members of the Foundation, as well as the participating businesses, will be held at the conclusion of the event.
Seating is limited; early registration is suggested. Admission is complimentary.
For more information and to register visit www.rcbiznovation.com.
