8 local startups pitch at Summerfest Tech for a chance to win $25,000

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Summerfest Tech is a two-day event aimed at spotlighting the tech community here in Milwaukee. On Thursday, June 30, eight local startups pitched their businesses to a group of judges with the hopes of winning $25,000. But it's about more than a cash prize for these tech companies. 

"This is very essential, actually, for helping startups like me, like our company, because it's really helping them to grow faster with a pool of mentors, advisors and even potential investors partners," said David Hojah, the founder of Parrots, Inc. 

Parrots, Inc. is a technology that helps people with neurological disorders use smart communications. 

All eight of the companies who participated created something unique that isn't already on the market. 

"We have surveyed paralegals that said it takes over four hours, and up to a day to schedule one court reporter for one legal event," said Karen Renee, founder of E Court Reporter. "What we did was, we created a technology that a law firm can now do that same service in five minutes." 

Renee said both the exposure and the prize will help with everything from hiring to development. 

"We recognize how important it is to support entrepreneurs and to support the startup community in Milwaukee," said Tami Garrison, the community affairs director for Molson Coors. 

Summerfest Tech was produced by Young Enterprising Society (Y.E.S.) and sponsored by Molson Coors. 

Fifty thousand dollars was given out total. The first place winner received $25,000, and the other seven startups split $25,000. 

Winners lineup:
1st place ($25,000 prize): Kwema
2nd place ($10,000 prize): Fly Parrots
3rd place ($5,000 prize): Rex Academy