iPhone app wins top honors at Microsoft sponsored event |
Follow the ups and downs of a new Seattle startup in a series of behind-the-scenes posts by its founders.
Learn That Name, a new iPhone app designed to help people remember the names of people they bump into at events, won the most votes at Startup Weekend even though the 54-hour coding marathon was held on Microsoft's campus. Attorney Eric Koester -- who came up with the idea because he forgot the name of one of the attendees -- said he's hopeful to have the $2.99 app approved in the Apple store in the coming weeks. Here's the 10-minute pitch.
Interestingly, 14 of the 15 teams at the event built their products on the Microsoft platform -- driven in part by the prize money offered by the BizSpark program.
But at the end of the day, it was a mobile app on a competing platform that won the most votes in Microsoft's backyard.
"Awkward," whispered Startup Weekend organizer Clint Nelsen into the microphone upon announcing the top voter getter.
"It's been an awesome experience," said Koester, who led the team of more than a dozen developers. "I was just looking for something simple and this was really way more than I anticipated in 48 hours."
In a post event team meeting, Koester slapped high fives with coders and laid out the plans for moving the business forward. "Awesome guys, this was fun. We are going to do it again," he said.
Meanwhile, Search Kick received $5,000 for winning the most votes as a startup building its application on Microsoft technologies, as well as the potential for a $5,000 investment from the Seattle technology incubator H-Farm.
More than 190 people attended the event, including developers from as far away as Chicago, Paris and LA.
Startup Weekend's Nelsen said they're hoping to have the next event at Amazon.com. Last year's event was held at Google's Fremont campus.
Related story: "Photo Gallery: Startup Weekend"

The Learn That Name team at Startup Weekend.
Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Glengarry Glen Ross Feb 5th to Feb 28th
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WTIA 15th Annual Industry Achievement Awards
Held on March 4th at the Showbox SODO, this casual event celebrates and recognizes some of the best emerging and established companies in the Washington Tech Industry. The evening will feature a finalist company technology showcase and a variety of coffee, chocolate, and wine samples from local companies. More than 800 attendees are expected to be present at the celebration. Public online voting for Technology Leader of Tomorrow Scholarships will open February 3rd on the WTIA site.
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