Rather than creating an advisory board to decide who would address top tier VC firms, TheFunded and tech TV group VatorNews looked to the public to choose presenters. In anticipation of yesterday’s JuicePitcher event, hundreds of companies uploaded profiles to VatorTV. The companies who received the most votes landed a 3 minute presentation before investors from groups like Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Omidyar and Polaris Ventures. In a process that is being described as “democratizing access to Silicon Valley investors”, the public chose these ten finalists:
1. Cloudmach: Cloudmach renders 3D graphics in web browsers. Instead of requiring installation like Secondlife and other 3D experiences, Cloudmach creates objects, avatars and environments in the cloud while integrating with major social networking sites.
2. RentCycle: This service offers companies an online interface to track and rent out their products. The site can act as an inventory manager, reservation center and branded storefront. Meanwhile customers receive reservation reminders and text messages on their latest inquiries.
3. Spreezio: This service is a location-based site that allows users to barter for deals with local merchants. Essentially the service is Priceline for non-travel related products and services.
4. Qless: Qless lets restaurant patrons save their spot in line via their cellphones.
5. HearPlanet: HearPlanet is an iPhone application that offers historical and business information on what will soon be more than 2.7 million locations. It is essentially a mobile tour guide.
6. Thumbtack: Thumbtack is a site where friends and family members trade recommendations on the best babysitters, pool technicians and repair men.
7. TribeVibe: TribeVibe aggregates social media publishing tools, traffic tools, URL shorteners and real-time search into what founders are describing as a “social media mixing deck”.
8. RelayRides: RelayRides is a car matchmaking service that connects car owners with those interested in renting them. Rather than waiting to exchange keys, drivers simply reserve online and similar to ZipCar’s service, a sensor opens the car for them.
9. Viralogy: This service allows users to pit themselves against each other and determine who is more popular online. Blog rank, Twitter friends and traffic are all incorporated in this updated version of Googlefight.
10. IDNTITI: This service is a rating tool that allows users to create questionnaires and gain feedback from customers and online influencers.
