JEDCO Challenge Finalists Announced

The Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) and sponsor First NBC Bank have partnered with the Jefferson Chamber and Idea Village for the second annual JEDCO Challenge.

JEDCO ChallengeThe organization narrowed down over 40 applications to select the five finalists that will compete in the second annual Jefferson Parish-based pitch competition during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW) on March 25th.

More information about the five finalists is below:

ADVANO

Entrepreneur: Alexander Girau

ADVANO is a nanotechnology company that specializes in the manufacturing of advanced materials called nanoparticles. Featuring a process coined Mechanochemical Attrition, ADVANO’s process consolidates four necessary manufacturing steps into a single, simple, rapid, and scalable step, providing a viable source of nanoparticles at industrial scales and at efficiencies that rival processes used by industrial powerhouses. This robust process can revolutionize several multi-billion dollar markets ranging from gene therapy for cancer treatment to advanced lithium-ion batteries for mobile and automotive applications. Initially, ADVANO’s market penetration strategy will begin in the lithium-ion battery space mainly due to the adoption of silicon nanoparticles as electrode materials. As the demand of lithium-ion battery-based mobile phones and automobiles grows exponentially, a large source of silicon nanoparticles will be needed. ADVANO is able to rapidly and efficiently fulfill this need. Learn more on ADVANO’s website.

The Collector

Entrepreneurs: Alex Goss and Michael Angle

Collecting money from friends for Fantasy Football leagues, March Madness brackets, and group vacations is a pain.  No longer.  A new website has developed a way to make collecting money from friends easy and effective. Developed locally by Revelry Labs, The Collector takes a three-pronged approach to getting paid by your pals: payments, reminders and organization. Your friends aren’t asked to download, signup, or link a bank account, so there’s no excuse not to pay. Debtors simply use their credit cards or PayPal accounts on a secure checkout screen, and the debt is paid. For those “forgetful” friends, The Collector sends out automatic reminder emails on the organizer’s behalf until he/she is paid. Lastly, The Collector creates a convenient dashboard to organize who’s paid and who hasn’t.  No more spreadsheets needed! It’s the most painless and effective way to collect money from your friends…period. Learn more on The Collector’s website.

GetHealthy

Entrepreneur: Blaine Lindsey

GetHealthy is an evidence-based health and wellness platform that develops customized solutions and services for direct pay physicians, employers, and insurance providers seeking to engage and improve the health of their patients, employees and policyholders. GetHealthy drives engagement by delivering meaningful, peer-reviewed health optimization services through comprehensive, creative, and personalized interventions. Learn more on GetHealthy’s website.

MobileQubes

Entrepreneurs: Sean Carrigan, Jason Palmer, Mike Melito

MobileQubes is the world’s first self-automated Kiosk that dispenses high capacity smart phone batteries called “Qubes” that customers can rent and return for a low-cost wireless and cord free charging solution. The Kiosks will be strategically placed in high-traffic venues within facilities across the country to solve the on-going issue and problem that 165 million U.S. mobile phone users struggle with every day, a dead or dying cell phone. It’s a simple and an extremely affordable Plug and Go Mobile Device charging solution. “MobileQubes. Mobile Power. Untethered.” Learn more on the MobileQubes website.

PortaVision

Entrepreneur: Terry Ancar

PortaVision Medical designed and manufactured the NeoRay Portable Digital X-Ray System. NeoRay is the first FDA-approved portable X-Ray system optimized for neonatal X-Ray imaging. Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) worldwide rely on the same X-Ray devices used on adults for imaging of fragile premature infant patients. The NeoRay is a small, compact system that is specially designed to be used in NICUs to provide radiographic and fluoroscopic capabilities at the incubator. In comparison to the 1200 lb. X-Ray systems currently being used, the NeoRay will greatly enhance and improve the outcome of preterm babies by saving imaging time, reducing infant radiation exposure, and improving a physician’s ability to make critical treatment decisions quickly.  Learn more on PortaVision’s website.

“We are overwhelmed by the caliber of the entrepreneurs who applied for this competition,” says JEDCOExecutive Director Jerry Bologna. “We have so many unique startup companies that play a role in the region’s successes and choosing from such a deep pool of talent was a truly difficult task. These five companies chosen to compete in the JEDCO Challenge represent a diverse base of some of the most innovative minds in our area. I look forward to seeing the impact they will have on the Jefferson Parish community.”

“The JEDCO Challenge provides a wonderful platform for the companies participating,” says First NBC Bank President & CEO Ashton J. Ryan Jr. “Not only does it connect these entrepreneurs with businessmen and women who can help them grow and achieve success in Jefferson Parish, but it also gives our community a real opportunity to see the true talent, energy and creativity present in our community right now.”