Participants for Automate Launch Pad Competition announced

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has unveiled its eight participants for the first Automate Launch Pad Competition for companies involved in robotics, machine vision, and motion control.

The Launchpad Competition is seeking out startup companies that are introducing new products in the sector. Co-produced by Silicon Valley Robotics, and sponsored by Shell GameChanger, the Launch Pad competition aims to generate awareness for these new technologies and help them find funding. The eight semifinalist companies competing for a grand prize of $10,000 are as follows:

• +Mfg LLC - Edgewood, KY, USA
• Modbot - San Francisco, CA, USA
• OptoForce - Szekesfehervar, Hungary
• Rational Robotics - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Soft Robotics - Cambridge, MA, USA
• TAG Optics - Princeton, NJ, USA
• TallyNinja - Elgin, IL, USA
• Tempo Automation - San Francisco, CA, USA

"It was difficult to choose these eight finalists out of the many startup applications we received," said Jeff Burnstein, President of A3. "We recognize the critical role of startup companies in driving innovation and bringing forth new technologies to foster continued growth. We are excited to offer these companies the opportunity to spread awareness and take their company to the next level."

During the competition, each company will have three minutes to pitch their technology to a panel of investors and automation experts. Companies must be within the automation space, have been founded within the last five years, raised less than $2 million since creation, and not be affiliated with a larger group. In addition, all semifinalists will be provided booth space on the Automate show floor.

Judges for the competition include James Unterreiner, Shell GameChanger; Troy Henikoff, TechStars Chicago; and Randy Castleman, Court Square Ventures. The event will be moderated by Andra Keay from Silicon Valley Robotics.

View more information on Automate.

Share your vision-related news by contacting James Carroll, Senior Web Editor, Vision Systems Design

To receive news like this in your inbox, click here.

Join our LinkedIn group | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Check us out on Google +