TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Is Toronto a good spot to launch a startup? If the results of this year’s Global Startup Battle are anything to go by, it may just be one of the best places around.
The contest, powered by Google and organized by up.co and Startup Weekend, pits startup teams from around the world against each other for the chance to win prizes including $20,000 in match funding for Indiegogo and the chance to visit Google HQ in San Francisco. More than 20,000 entrepreneurs from 167 different cities took part in this year’s event, which takes place as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Pawly, the product that helps pet owners stay connected with their pets from anywhere, were crowned overall global champions. Tweeting pill box Life Capsule took first place in the Activate circle, closely followed by interactive story beads startup Griflens. All three teams began their journey at Startup Weekend Maker Edition in Toronto in November.
Meet the 15 winning teams from the Global Startup Battle
“We think that with bringing together great design and the latest robotic technology, only incredible things are bound to happen - and in a 55 billion dollar pet industry in North America alone, we’re so excited to be given an opportunity to make it a reality.”
“Startup Weekend really helped guide us in our journey to success by providing us the mentorship and focus we needed in order to make sure we were onto a problem worth solving. We all share the same passion for improving people’s lives through technology and are so excited to be given an opportunity to improve pet owner and pet relationships.”
- Shiera Aryev, CEO and Co-Founder of Pawly
This is the second consecutive year that a Toronto team has claimed the top spot. Last year’s winning team, Groupnotes, created a collaborative tool that lets you create a private comment section on any website. It was also announced earlier this year that Visualize.me, founded by Eugene Woo at Startup Weekend in Toronto in 2011, was acquired by ed-tech company Parchment.
“The Pawly team is perhaps the best example of what can be accomplished at a Startup Weekend when you combine great skill, motivation and impressive teamwork.”
“I am so proud of Pawly, Life Capsule and Griflens for everything they’ve achieved so far. Their success in this significant annual competition demonstrates that Toronto’s startup community is an international powerhouse. The rest of the world should take note - Toronto is where you want to build your startup!”
- Chris Eben, Founding Organizer, Startup Weekend Toronto
Startup Weekend Maker Edition Toronto, presented by Ontario Centres of Excellence, took place at OCAD U as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week in November 2013. The event, Toronto’s sixth Startup Weekend, was the first to focus on hardware and 3D printing, bringing together entrepreneurs, developers, designers and makers for a weekend of rapid prototyping, experiential learning and customer validation. The event was sponsored by OCAD U, The Working Group, GE and BDC.
About Startup Weekend Toronto: Startup Weekend Toronto is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit event that is part of a global network of Startup Weekend events, all designed to support entrepreneurship at a grassroots level. In just 54 hours local entrepreneurs, developers, designers, marketers, product managers, startup enthusiasts and anyone interested in building a business come together to share ideas, form teams, and launch a startup. For more information about Startup Weekend Toronto please visit http://toronto.startupweekend.org or email holly.knowlman@startupweekend.org.
About Startup Weekend: Startup Weekend™ supports the development and expansion of entrepreneurship through events worldwide that educate aspiring entrepreneurs by immersing them in the process of moving an idea to market. Startup Weekend has built a network of more than 55,000 alumni, thousands of volunteer organizers and 100 trained facilitators spread across more than 300 cities in 100 countries. For more information, visit www.startupweekend.org or follow us on Twitter @startupweekend.