Phase II Teams Selected for the 2019 Alumni New Venture Challenge

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is pleased to announce the 35 teams advancing to Phase II of the 2019 Alumni New Venture Challenge (ANVC), a new track of its nationally-ranked Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge. The ANVC is a new global program dedicated to supporting all University of Chicago alumni who are in the process of launching and developing their startup ventures.

Of the teams advancing to Phase II, 24 have team leads that are graduates of Chicago Booth, 9 have team leads that are graduates of the College, and 2 have team leads that graduated from non-Booth masters programs. Over the next few months, semifinals pitch events  will be organized and hosted in each region (Midwest, East Coast, West Coast, Europe, and Asia) where all teams will present their businesses to a panel of distinguished judges and venture capitalists. Only the top team(s) from each region will then be invited to pitch at the ANVC global finals, which will be held in Chicago on May 2, 2019.

Teams advancing to Phase II of the ANVC are:

Asia 
Data Finnovation Pte Ltd // A modern SaaS financial information provider offering richer, bigger fundamental data and analytics.

NxtFin // Providing financial products to rural India.

prepbuddies // Education platform built to empower Indian educational institutions in India to improve outcomes.

ProSpark // EdTech B2B service product in SE Asia.

Shenzhen Qianhai Duuno Technology Limited // Language platform for Chinese children using the proven Duuno Method.

East Coast 
Biomotivate // Digital motivation platform to help people with opioid use disorder maintain sobriety.

Bubbli // Bubble tea cocktail pop-up in New York City.

Cibus Health Inc // Tailored meals augmenting the treatment of certain medical and chronic conditions.

CreSollnn // An optical alignment device to assist users of portable electric drills in drilling perpendicular.

Taru Woman // A mobile application that offers tailored resources to expecting and new mothers.

Thread Life, LLC // Peer-to-peer marketplace for sustainable fashion.

Europe 
Cyberfishing Inc. // Cyberfishing Smart Rod Sensor brings fishing rods into the modern age.

Sport Algorithmics and Gaming (SAG) // A technology company revolutionizing players development process with an AI-based analytics system.

Taplingua Private Limited // Platform training hotel employees in foreign language skills via phone.
 
Midwest 
57 St. Design // A direct-to-consumer furniture brand using Design Circulation, the world’s first circular furniture program.

Arx Nimbus, LLC // Insurance-grade technology to the measurement and valuation of cybersecurity.

bSmart // A smart diabetes management system leveraging machine learning and blockchain technologies.

Cannerva // A platform providing access to crowd-sourced information and reviews on cannabis products.

Care Advisors // Provides greater payout for hospitals through a Medicaid enrollment software.

MosquitOasis, LLC // A pop-up mosquito net tent creating a cozy, bug-free space for kids to sleep and relax.

Ricafrica.com, LLC // Online marketplace for authentic African, creative goods.

Safe Rate // Mitigating risks associated with mortgage borrowers and investors.

Shoppio // B2B technology company that builds retail customer engagement software.

SimBioSys // Improves patient outcomes and eliminates cost of ineffective treatments in cancer care.

Voyant Diagnostics, Inc. // A smart toilet that fully automates point-of-care urine diagnostics.

Vroom Delivery // E-commerce platform designed for the convenience store industry.

West Coast 
Contact! // A language learning game.

Den Living, Inc. // Building beautiful and human-focused living spaces that make city living more affordable and more humane.

Geo-Impact // SimCity for the real world forecasts the carbon and safety impact of new infrastructure.

Litesprite // Game platform that helps patients manage chronic health conditions.

Mami’s Gelato // Dairy-free, plant-based, and vegan ice cream mixes for foodservice customers.

Pureday Labs // Premium, organic direct to consumer business for infant and toddler formula.

SantaMaria Health & Longevity // A network of walk-in medicinal spa modeled after European health resorts.

Sedaracare // Patient engagement app that helps manage chronic disease, decreases readmissions and emergency room visits, and helps prevent diseases.

Top Shelf Travel // Helps users create socially inspired groups for turnkey, bucket list travel experiences.