Ladies and gentlemen, here are your finalists for the Innovator of the Year Award, powered by PECO! We held two rounds of presentations at HeadRoom in front of expert judges to narrow the group of twelve semi-finalists to the final six. Each of the nominees did a fantastic job sharing their innovative ideas and business plans. In the end, only six will present at the Innovator of the Year Competition on Thursday, September 24th.
The Innovator of the Year finalists represent diverse industries and ideas – from education to agriculture and more. One of these finalists was voted our Fan Favorite on social media after the semi-final rounds! Social media is an integral ingredient in sharing ideas, gathering business intelligence and marketing a company, so we want to promote a Finalist whose idea engaged our community across all social media channels.
Meet The Finalists
theSMARTsub – theSMARTsubâ„¢ was designed to provide an efficient, cost effective solution to one of a school’s most labor intensive and time consuming activities: selecting, contacting and scheduling the most qualified subs for absences. They focus on helping students by reducing schools costs and providing an improved learning environment.
FOCUS Foods - FOCUS Foods Inc. was founded by two intrepid friends from MIT. Their urban aquaponics farms will grow and sell fresh, sustainable, healthy food. Aquaponics produces negligible greenhouse gases, is soil-and-pesticide-free, and uses just 5% of the water used in conventional farming. FOCUS Foods will put urban aquaponics farms on the roofs of grocery stores across the nation, while also building stand-alone farms to sell to farm-to-table restaurants. The first farm will soon be located in North Philadelphia.
Livegenic - Livegenic delivers a unique video platform for business that offers real-time streaming and live interactive collaboration, video field documentation, and customer self-service capabilities. Their all in one easy-to-use cloud based service reduces costs and improves customer satisfaction. Livegenic aims to simplify everyday life through innovative, interactive communication.
ECE Locker Room - ECE Locker Room is building a workforce solution for early childhood education programs in the Greater Philadelphia area. They provide an online solution that simplifies the hiring and employment processes for early childhood education centers. The site frees up directors by providing one central, web-based location for all early childhood education employees to create and maintain a compliant employment file.
Phan Cave - Phan Cave provides the ULTIMATE tailgating experience. From corporate outings and charity events to brand experiences and university tailgates, Phan Cave is Philadelphia’s only professional mobile tailgating experience. Phan Cave was founded by two friends and college lacrosse stars who collaborated to spread their love of sports across the region.
Focus Media Services – Focus Media Services wants to take aerial photography mainstream. The goal is to develop an online platform and app to offer quality affordable aerial videography/photography services with the use of drone technology. Focus Media Services is the area leader for spectacular, informative and impressive low level aerial drone photography for marketing, advertising and promotion.
RSVP Today
Join us to hear the final pitch in front of a panel of local leaders, who will ask tough questions to nail down their choice for the Innovator of the Year. The competition is FREE and you’ll have the chance to meet dozens of local entrepreneurs. Register today!