Finalists Named by 2014 TCC StartUp Cup

2014 Business Model Competition Adds Fan Favorite Element

Tulsa Community College names the seven finalists in the 2014 TCC StartUp Cup business model competition. The competition is powered by the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation with the first place winner receiving $30,000; second place $5,000; and third place $2,500.

These seven entrepreneurs advance to the final round of competition. A panel of judges selected six finalists after scoring each startup’s business model and hearing a five-minute pitch from the entrepreneur followed by a question and answer session. The public selected the seventh finalist by voting for the 2014 Fan Favorite.

Bike Barn is a mobile, multi-unit bicycle locker service that can be placed at companies, restaurant districts, or large community events to provide safe storage places for those who prefer pedal power as their form of transportation.

FenceTrac Fence Systems, Inc. is the creator of a new picket fence design that simplifies picket installation and creates a low maintenance privacy fence that resists warping.

J. Vogt Designs is the creator of the Fuseman Safety Stick, a patent-pending tool designed to safely remove and replace plug fuses in old style fuse panels.

Nourish Drink Café makes superfood smoothies that are hand-crafted and blended from only plant based, whole food products for a nutritious on-the-go drink without any added sugars, yogurts or ice cream.

OP Left, LLC is a veteran-owned company that makes specialty, precision-cut acrylic measurement tools for use on U.S. and NATO military maps not currently available in the field.

Smart Panel LLC produces a home energy management product which is mounted on a circuit breaker of homes and small commercial buildings and can be managed by a smartphone app to monitor electricity consumption and turn off/on rooms or devices in the home.

2014 Fan Favorite

Peritus Resource Group is the developer of ARsite, a patent-pending system that tracks people, machines and equipment in 3D space in real time and can act as a safety monitor and notification system.

“We continue to be amazed at the creativity and drive of these entrepreneurs. These startups are diverse in industry and business model which makes for an interesting competition,” said Autumn Worten, TCC StartUp Cup chair. “This has been an exciting year with the new interactive Fan Favorite element, added networking and coaching opportunities and a shorter competition window.”

The finalists will advance to the next round of judging and meet one-on-one with coaches before pitching their business models and products to a panel of judges on Nov. 6. The 2014 TCC StartUp Cup winner will be announced Nov. 18 during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

In addition to streamlining the 2014 competition, the TCC StartUp Cup added a networking and coaching event open to all of the entrepreneurs who entered this year’s competition. The participants were given one-on-one time with established and successful entrepreneurs to ask questions and get advice with the goal to connect participants to other entrepreneurs.

The TCC StartUp Cup supports entrepreneurial growth, expands business and community connections, and maximizes promotional opportunities both locally and nationally. A study released in June shows the business model competition and the participants have had a significant economic impact, creating 300 full-time jobs and 2,000 part-time or contract positions and adding more than $85.1 million to the Tulsa economy. The TCC StartUp Cup is based on a coaching and mentoring structure which former participants say is one of the most valuable aspects of the business model competition.

For more information on the award, visit www.tcc.startupcup.com.