Startup Weekend DC selects 3 for Global Startup Battle

It was a grueling 54 hours for the 98 Startup Weekend DC warriors who convened at Disruption Corporation‘s Crystal City headquarters.
But it was worth the wait, since the three winning teams will now move on to the regional round of the Global Startup Battle.

Last 3 hours of time to get stuff done! #swdc #gsb2014 @sw_dc pic.twitter.com/64HEu7UQD9

— Babs Lee (@babsielee) November 16, 2014

“On a bit of a high right now,” said Micah Melnyk of the winning team. “I’ve also got a ton of bricks falling over my shoulders.” He and his consorts now have about two days to produce a video to stay in the running.
Here are the lucky three:

• Releventz: a network that encourages users to raise funds for social causes during parties. Led by Melnyk, the team racked up $25,000 in in-kind services from D.C. accelerator Rennzer.
• Swish: a search engine for NBA highlights. Led by Jordan Leigh, the team also won $10,000 in in-kind services from Rennzer.
• Zest: a network that allows foodies to monetize their Instagram posts. Led by Savanna Rovira, the team won third place and bragging rights.

The audience of over 100 also picked their favorite teams. The popular vote ended in a tie, going to StreamMotion, a platform that aggregates photos from Twitter, and Swish.
All three winners won an interview to join the accelerator Conscious Venture Lab’s next cohort. Also on that VIP list are StreamMotion and Loved Again, a web platform that allows parents to donate their children’s clothes and other objects.

1st winner of #swdc #GSB2014 @sw_dc is @Releventz!!!! pic.twitter.com/45vkI4ISaw

— Lili Gangas (@LilsG31) November 17, 2014

The judge bench was composed of DJ Saul, James Keeratisakdawong of the Maryland Venture Fund, Elana Fine of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship, Omid Jahanbin of Rennzer and Jeff Cherry of Conscious Venture Lab.

Judges deliberating the fate of @sw_dc's #startups! Good luck everyone! #SWDC #GSB2014 #dctech #sparkdisruption pic.twitter.com/QoQ9hcWP2i

— Dr. Joseph Santoro (@Joseph_Santoro) November 17, 2014

The next stop, for those who still had pep in their step after three days of hacking, was an after-party at Bar Louie.

And that’s a wrap! #swdc #sparkdisruption @ccbid thanks again and good night!

A video posted by Kristopher Bryant Riley (@kristophercozi) on Nov 11, 2014 at 5:35pm PST

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