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Knoxville Business News Tennessee Mountain Scenery Background
November 26, 2024 | Tom Ballard

Quantum Turf captures top prize in “Start Here Pitch Competition”

The annual event is organized by The Biz Foundry in partnership with the Tennessee Center for Rural Innovation.

About 60 people turned out last week for the annual “Start Here Pitch Competition” organized by The Biz Foundry in Cookeville in partnership with the Tennessee Center for Rural Innovation at Tennessee Tech University.

Held at 37 Cedar Restaurant and Bar in Cookeville, the event featured six competitors. Those winning cash prizes and an opportunity to pitch to the Upper Cumberland Angel Investors Fund were:

  1. First Place and Winner of $10,000: Quantum Turf, founded by Matt Martin of Putnam County. It is a full service app that uses predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to develop a custom lawn care plan for applicators.  The plan is built using weather data, grass types, disease trends and other data that generate a plan that uses the minimum amount of chemicals needed to produce the quality grass that consumers are looking for with less environmental impact and cost savings to landscaping and lawn treatment across the country.
  2. Second Place and Winner of $5,000 as well as the “Audience Choice Award”: PlatformX, founded by Deborah Whited of Overton County. It is a portable and lightweight platform for hairdressers and barbers that reduces repetitive motion injuries that are caused over time by allowing them to work with their hands and arms in a more natural position.
  3. Third Place and Winner of $2,500: Mountain Top Candle Shop, launched by Lindsee Campbell of Putnam County. Her business is a custom scent candle maker that develops scents that match their customer’s brand. Think bakery sending candles that are developed to match the scent of their best selling cinnamon rolls.

 



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