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TechXpedition Startup Challenge

New Date set for TechXpedition Startup Challenge

12 January 2023 | Lisa Hall

Innovators invited to compete for startup funds

BABCOCK RANCH, FL –   A new date has been set for the inaugural TechXpedition startup challenge at Babcock Ranch.  Originally slated for last November,  the competition was postponed to allow prospective competitors and event volunteers to focus on recovery in the wake of Hurricane Ian. With the competition now set for April 14-16, organizers have reopened registration.

TechXpedition will give up to 60 budding entrepreneurs an opportunity to compete for $10,000 in pre-seed startup investment to help get their innovations to market.  The 54-hour event is being organized and presented by MoAloo Ventures, a venture capital firm led by Babcock Resident Priya Ahluwalia.  Sponsors include Babcock Ranch, Florida Gulf Coast University Foundation, Chuck Ketteman and 35 Mules – the innovation hub launched by Florida Power & Light.

“My husband and I have participated as mentors in numerous startup challenge weekends all over the country and have seen how effective they are in helping entrepreneurs take their startup up ideas from concept to the marketplace in a very short period of time,” Ahluwalia said. “The startup challenge weekend is really just the beginning for us. We’re already looking toward creating an incubator so that new businesses that come to life here at Babcock Ranch stay here and help grow our community.”

The competition weekend will kick-off Friday evening with one-minute idea pitches from each of the competitors. All of the competitors will cast votes for the ideas they believe have the greatest potential, and then form teams around the top-ranked ideas.  With guidance from an impressive team of volunteer mentors, and the opportunity to iterate their concepts in Babcock High School’s state-of-the-art Make Tank, the teams will create product prototypes and develop comprehensive business plans under a very tight deadline. The event culminates Sunday evening with five-minute presentations by each team to the judges who will determine which startup merits investment.

“Babcock Ranch’s focus on sustainability, combined with an innovation mindset, creates a ‘living laboratory’ environment for piloting exciting new technologies,” said Lucienne Pears, Vice President of Business and Economic Development for Babcock Ranch.  “When we were approached with the idea of creating a tech startup challenge to foster innovation at its earliest stages, we realized this type of event was a perfect fit for our community.”

There’s no charge to apply, and the competition is open to Innovators of ALL ages who have ideas for launching a new business that leverages technology to deliver products and services in new ways. In addition to the grand prize, competitors will have the opportunity to network and establish relationships with sponsoring organizations.

The application is available online at www.babcockranchforbusiness.com/TechXpedition

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About MoAloo Ventures

MoAloo Ventures is a venture capital firm that brings ideas to life. Led by Babcock Ranch resident Priya Ahluwalia, MoAloo incubates startups and helps take them to the next level in exchange for equity. The firm specializes in tech/digital startups – providing expertise in
• Strategy – High-level corporate development strategy (business plans & pitch decks)

  • Growth – Revenue growth, partnerships, business plan execution
    • Management Consulting – Operations, Finance, Marketing, HR, Legal & Technology

 

About Babcock Ranch

Located in Southwest Florida, America’s first solar-powered town is setting a whole new standard for smart, sustainable growth. The triple-bottom line balance between environmental, economic, and social sustainability – paired with an innovation mindset – make Babcock Ranch an ideal living laboratory for companies with a vision for a smarter, greener, more sustainable future to innovate, collaborate and thrive. Learn more at www.babcockranchforbusiness.com.

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