Austin, TX (PRWEB) October 08, 2014
SXSW Eco, a conference connecting the urgency of global sustainability challenges with the opportunity for breakthrough solutions, today congratulated the five winners of its third Startup Showcase. Open Water Foundation, Drinkwell, PAX Pure and Picasolar (tied for the win), and Lagoon, won in four categories, respectively: Social Impact - Not for Profit, Social Impact – For Profit, Greentech, Cleanweb.
SXSW Eco’s 2014 Startup Central programming was produced in conjunction with Austin Energy and the Austin Technology Incubator (ATI), part of the IC2 Institute at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). The Startup Showcase featured 32 companies that presented a 4-minute pitch and then engaged in a 4-minute Q&A session with the judges from companies the likes of Target, Shell Technology Ventures, the Whole Planet Foundation, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Sprint.
In the Social Impact – Not for Profit category, the winner was Open Water Foundation, openwaterfoundation.org, of Fort Collins, CO. The Open Water Foundation is a social enterprise that focuses on open source software to help make better decisions about water resources.
In the Social Impact – For Profit category, the winner was Drinkwell, drinkwellsystems.com of Boston, MA. Drinkwell is transforming the global water crisis into an entrepreneurial opportunity by blending proprietary filtration technology with a franchise business model.
In the Greentech category, there was a tie. One winner was PAX Pure, paxpure.com, of San Rafael, CA. PAX Pure is bringing to market an innovation in thermal water purification, focused on treating and recycling difficult waters. The other winner was Picasolar, picasolar.com, of Fayetteville, AR. Picasolar invented the largest single step efficiency improvement in solar since 1974. Its technology delivers higher efficiencies, less silver and is 3rd party validated.
In Cleanweb, the winner was Lagoon, golagoon.com, of Cincinnati, OH. Home owners understand water use with Lagoon's self install sensor and mobile app. Reduce use, expenses and catch potential leaks with Lagoon.
SXSW Eco serves as a launching pad for these winners and all participating companies, and is a place of discovery for investors and corporations from across the country.
Now in its third year produced in partnership by SXSW Eco, Austin Energy and ATI, the Startup Showcase combines the strengths of SXSW Interactive’s Accelerator pitch competition with ATI and Austin Energy’s Clean Energy Venture Summit (CEVS). CEVS was a highlight of ATI’s Clean Energy Incubator which was founded in 2001 and is one of the industry’s longest established energy and clean technology incubators. The best of CEVS is now realized in the SXSW Eco Startup Showcase.
About SXSW Eco:
Now in its fourth year, SXSW Eco attracts a global community to explore, engage and
co-create solutions for a sustainable world. A uniquely inclusive platform for
professionals, SXSW Eco examines the critical challenges of our times through a
kaleidoscopic lens of design innovation, policy tipping points, technological
breakthroughs, conservation practice, entrepreneurial spirit and a culture of creativity to
transform inspiration into action.
About the Austin Technology Incubator:
The Austin Technology Incubator (ATI) is the startup incubator of the IC2 Institute of The University of Texas at Austin. ATI works with seed and pre-seed-stage companies, helping prepare these businesses for commercial success, with a particular focus on helping startups compete in the capital markets. The Incubator has operated since 1989 with a dual mission: create jobs and wealth in Central Texas through technology entrepreneurship, and provide distinctive teaching and research opportunities to the UT-Austin community. Over the past 10 years, ATI companies have created more than 5,500 jobs, nearly $1 billion in economic impact, and over $20 million in tax revenues in Central Texas.
About Austin Energy:
Austin Energy is the nation’s 10th largest community-owned electric utility. Austin Energy powers the capital city of Texas through a diverse generation mix including nuclear, coal, natural gas and renewable energy sources. Located in Austin, TX, Austin Energy created the top performing renewable energy program in the nation and is committed to helping Austin become the Clean Energy Capital of the World. The company owns the nation’s first and largest green building program and is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive residential and commercial energy efficiency programs. For further information visit: AustinEnergy.com.
