Fort Collins, Colo., Feb. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LaunchNo.CO, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing and supporting entrepreneurship and small business in Northern Colorado, today announced the companies competing in its inaugural PitchNo.CO event. PitchNo.CO is a pitch competition being held Feb. 27-28 in conjunction with Fort Collins Startup Week for companies operating in Larimer and Weld counties.

“New companies are being started in Northern Colorado every day and our mission is to help them get the support they need to succeed,” said Jana Sanchez, executive director of LaunchNo.CO. “PitchNo.CO is Northern Colorado’s premier competition showcasing companies in business less than five years and helping them as they take the next step in their growth.”

Competing companies will pitch to at least three different panels of expert investors and judges, who will provide feedback and professional advice on their pitch and growth plans at LaunchNo.CO’s partner location, Spaces, on Feb. 27. Those advancing the the semifinal and final rounds on Feb. 28 will have the opportunity to pitch in front of CEOs from companies such as TechStars, Boomtown and UpRamp. Participants are competing for a $10,000 grand prize and numerous other prize packages.

The competing teams include: 

ItyDity
ItyDity facilitates online song production contests to help artists find the best producers for their songs. Their unique Song Virtual Reality demystifies the production process, allowing artists to craft their sound and effectively communicate their musical vision.

Loop Global
Loop Global leads commercialization of the Evacuated Tube Transport Technologies (ET3™) system, where car-sized capsules operate in a network of concrete tubes, like an automated freeway that connects people, pallets, parcels and utilities through an “all-in-one” global transportation system. Capsules travel up to three times faster than jets, removing friction from peoples’ lives while bringing us all closer together.

Sandbox Solar 
Sandbox Solar is a Fort Collins solar installation company. It uses the highest-quality design tools and components to bring the greatest energy savings to your home or business. Sandbox is developing the tools necessary for communities to create community solar gardens out of forgotten and unused spaces.

everHuman
everHuman is a coaching and project completion service that emphasizes technology as a tool to support human activities, both at home and at work. Digital skills gaps are addressed with patience, empathy, and easy-to-follow instructions and customized live and online workshops to help individuals and teams better manage their digital lives.

Big Bear Bat
Big Bear Bat Co. makes handcrafted, professional quality, wooden baseball bats.

Red Mountain Scientific 
At Red Mountain Scientific, we apply the science of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to solve hard problems. We are revolutionizing wind energy and telecommunications asset management by bringing to market a drone-enabled, AI solution for autonomous infrastructure inspection.

ParkIt
ParkIt is the Airbnb of college campus parking. We are simply bridging the gap between commuter students and staff and those surrounding college campuses with unused parking spaces and driveways.

Vortic Watch Company 
Vortic Watch Company is a small batch, custom, watch manufacturing and vintage restoration company located in Northern Colorado. Its focus and belief system revolves around revitalizing manufacturing in the United States by combining traditional and cutting-edge technology to create unique, quality, functional products with exceptional value.

Selva Honey
Selva Honey is a social enterprise fighting the problem of deforestation through market access solutions. We sustainably source our unique varieties of wild honey from forest communities in Guatemala working to protect their forests and increase forest biodiversity. 

Fair Fiber
Fair Fiber offers high-performance alpaca apparel to outdoor enthusiasts who currently have limited options for alpaca wear. Our products enhance outdoor performance using a proprietary blend of natural fibers and are sourced sustainably from the Andes of Peru.

The Articulate 
The Articulate was formed to organize the vibrant community of creative professionals in Northern Colorado; we are that community! We operate as the flexible joint between the creative and professional spheres, the junction where ideas collide and germinate.

Willie’s Motorcycle Rescue 
Willie’s Motorcycle Rescue is a motorcycle and three-wheeler towing, recovery and transport company in Northern Colorado owned and operated by lifelong bikers. We employ a state-of-the-art motorcycle lift and a spacious four-door truck to get you and your ride home safely and comfortably.

The competition takes place starting at 11 a.m. Feb. 27 and 10:30 a.m. Feb. 28 inside the Spaces co-working location, 242 Linden Street, Fort Collins. 

“We can only do this kind of event with the support of key partners like Spaces,” Sanchez said. “They have opened their doors to Fort Collins entrepreneurs during Startup Week, which demonstrates how important having a relationship with the community is to them. That aligns with our mission at LaunchNo.CO.”

To learn more about PitchNo.Co, visit LaunchNo.Co.

About LaunchNo.CO

Beginning as a Meetup group in March of 2012, LaunchNo.CO developed into a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and supporting entrepreneurship and small business in Northern Colorado. By aggregating the existing resources and filling the gaps in the support continuum, LaunchNo.CO serves as the starting point for people looking to create and sustain companies and jobs in Larimer and Weld counties. The organization strives to provide access to existing resources, education that fills gaps in the currently available resources and assistance helping companies to grow and succeed in the critical first five years. LaunchNo.CO helps companies form, grow and stay in Northern Colorado. For more information, please visit http://www.launchno.co.

About Spaces 

Spaces offers an inspiring work environment for professionals and growing businesses. In addition to office space, there are memberships and meeting rooms to help you think, create and cooperate with like-minded people. Spaces’ goal is to offer inspirational surroundings with an entrepreneurial spirit where ideas are born, a company can evolve and valuable relationships are built. Spaces has locations in the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America, Africa, Australia and Asia. For more information, visit www.spacesworks.com or call 1-844-6-SPACES. 

CONTACT: Amy Leger
[email protected]