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4 Entrepreneurs in Running for $50,000 ZINO Marketplace FundFriday, November 19, 2010 | By: Mary Holmes
SEATTLE —Nov. 19, 2010—Four early-stage companies were selected as finalists vying for ZINO Society’s $50,000 investment fund at ZINO Marketplace Investment Forum at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Seattle. The original field of 12 entrepreneurs represented consumer product and service companies. After a period of further due diligence, the fund will be awarded to one company considered the best investment opportunity as determined by the ZINO Marketplace Fund investors. In addition, all 12 companies are eligible for additional angel funding by individual accredited investors.
2010 ZINO Marketplace Fund Finalists, as selected by Fund Investors:
J&D’s Foods, Inc. – Dave Lefkow
Scayl, Inc. – Bill Kallman
Tilting Motor Works – Bob Mighell
VacuPractor – Paul Hagen
“Past experience has told us that these four companies will see interest from not only the fund investors but other investors in the room. It will be fun to see what comes next, but we have specifically requested that each of the fund finalists leave room in their current round for our $50,000 fund in the event they are selected.” commented Cathi Hatch, CEO and Founder of ZINO Society.
Additionally, five seed-stage companies gave “Back-of-the-Napkin” pitches to create more visibility for their business plans. An expert panel, made up of founders of a number of successful Northwest companies, provided feedback to the entrepreneurs.
The expert panelists included: Mike Almquist, Founder, f5 Networks and VINCO; Dan Gerrity, Co-Founder, Coinstar; David Giuliani, CEO & Co-founder, Pacific Bioscience Laboratories and Optiva (Sonicare); Jan Hendrickson, Managing Partner, Denny Hill Capital; Tom T. O’Keefe, Founder, Tully’s Coffee Corporation.
ZINO Zenith Awards, as selected by all attendees:
Best Presenter (5-Minute) – Bob Mighell, Tilting Motor Works Best Investment Opportunity (5-Minute) – Scayl, Inc., Bill Kallman
Back-of-the-Napkin Best Investment Opportunity (2-Minute) – Cargozz LLC, Joe Aboubakr
List of 5-Minute Presenting Companies
About ZINO Society
ZINO Society is a membership network that connects accredited investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding and connects people for business and social interaction, enrichment, education and commerce. Since its inception five years ago, ZINO Society has facilitated angel funding in excess of $15.5 million for early-stage and expansion businesses. More information can be found at zinosociety.com.
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