Had the chance to be a judge for the UW Business Plan Competition yesterday.  Some terrific companies.  Out of 104 entries, the initial screening team narrowed it down to 38 companies.  Those companies spent yesterday pitching to 280 “judges”, trying to convince each judge of the merits of their idea, their business plan and their ability to execute on their plan.  As judges, we had $1,000 of pretend money to “invest” in the companies.  The 16 companies who received the highest investment amounts now move on to the next round of the competition (plus two alternates).  There was a wide variety among the contestants – with medical device ideas, e-commerce, cleantech and a couple of potato-related companies (no kidding).

Darien Brown, CEO of last year’s winner YongoPal, was in attendance and served as a judge (shown at right with Rob Salkowitz (left), writer and social technology consultant with MediaPlant, and this contributor, Megan Muir).

All of the advancing companies are listed after the break, together with a short description of their business plans.Continue Reading Seattle Startup Sweet 16 – UW Business Plan Competition