The state’s venture capital arm, Connecticut Innovations (CI), on Wednesday named two Hartford startups and eight others as finalists for its fourth annual VentureClash pitch competition.
Finalists for the $5 million venture challenge hail from the U.S., Canada, Israel and South Africa and will compete in the live event at the Yale University West Campus in Orange on Oct. 17.
The cohort includes Hartford’s Covr Financial Technologies, a digital life insurance software developer, and peer-to-peer insurance app Pineapple, which has dual headquarters in Hartford and South Africa. Pineapple participates in Nassau Re’s new incubator program in downtown Hartford.
This year’s competition drew more than 300 companies from 20 countries. Finalists were selected after two rounds of judging by an outside panel of industry leaders and experts, CI said.
VentureClash allows early stage digital health, insurance technology, fintech and internet-of-things companies to compete for investments, grants, mentoring and other services from CI to spur their growth in Connecticut.
A panel of judges will evaluate the startups next month and determine which one takes home the top prize of $1.5 million. A total of $3.5 million will be shared among other winners.
“VentureClash gives us the ability to identify promising early-stage international companies and show them what it’s like to live and work in Connecticut,” said CI CEO Mattew McCooe.
According to CI, the other 2019 VentureClash finalists include:
- Atidot (Israel): An insurtech that uses artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and predictive analytics to support life insurance companies.
- Cinchy (Canada): A new alternative to buying and building applications for data collaboration.
- Curatio (Canada): A private social network for health.
- DEEP IT (Israel): A platform that uses AI and machine learning technologies to create visual storytelling elements, including semi-automated video production.
- EyeControl (Israel): A company developing a communication device for individuals who suffer from paralysis.
- MothersChoice (Israel): A company creating natural personal care products.
- ReferWell (New York): Streamlines referral management to improve outcomes for payers, providers and patients.
- Tremor Technologies Inc. (Boston): A marketplace for the reinsurance industry incorporating auction and optimization tech to find market-clearing prices.
In March, CI made its initial $500,000 equity investment in last year’s VentureClash winner, Israel-based Voiceitt.
