NJ Tech Council’s Venture Conference showcases start-ups

More than 800 people attended the New Jersey Tech Council‘s largest Venture Conference in the past two decades on April 11 at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

The morning began with a welcome from NJIT President Joel Bloom and the state’s Chief Innovation Officer Beth Simone Noveck. She highlighted the administration of Gov. Phil Murphy’s efforts in advancing the innovation economy throughout New Jersey.

David VanEgmond, the executive vice president and head of strategy from FanDuel, gave a keynote chat that was moderated by Richard Gearhart of Gearhart Law. VanEgmond talked about how FanDuel differentiated itself from its competitors through the element of fun and other unique key factors.

The afternoon included two lightning pitch rounds where 48 startups took the stage to impress an audience of investors and business leaders.

The afternoon concluded with an investor panel moderated by Kelly Ford of Edison Partners, panelists Kathleen Coviello of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Stephen Socolof of Tech Council Ventures and Kange Kaneene of SAP.

An awards ceremony highlighted the best of the startups including Top Health/Life Sciences Company Elemeno Health; Top Software Company Vikar Technologies; Best Early Stage Company, Upside Health; Best Management Company, Malbek; Company Most Likely to Succeed, Medality Medical; Most Innovative Product/Service, Xpeed Turbine Tech; Social Impact Company, WearWorks; Best Emerging Tech Company, SportsTrade; Investors Choice, WearWorks; Social Media Star, MARCo Technologies; and People’s Choice, Krow Networks.