Philly daily roundup: Carbon Reform qualifies for Startup World Cup; A teacher-turned-entrepreneur; BioLabs job fair

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Carbon Reform to go to Startup World Cup

Local greentech company Carbon Reform won the Philadelphia Startup World Cup pitch competition yesterday, taking home a $20,000 check and a spot at the global event. 

This is the first year that Philly participated in the Startup World Cup, but it hopefully won’t be the last, said Tempest Carter from the Department of Commerce. The competition is a way to showcase Philly’s potential as a global tech hub. 

➡️ Check out the other eight companies that pitched at the competition

Former teacher uses AI to help educators

Anne Spear launched her AI-driven software company Plan Forward in September. The company helps K-12 administrators keep track of their school’s programs through surveys. 

Spear was a teacher herself before going into education consulting and now entrepreneurship. School administrators and leaders are the “unsung heroes” of education and deserve more support, she said. 

➡️ Read more about how Spear launched her startup

News Incubator: What else to know today

• Jersey shoregoers may be interested to hear that the Cape May-Lewes ferry is switching from a strictly diesel boat to a diesel-hybrid ship thanks to $20 million from the US Department of Transportation. [Technical.ly]

• BioLabs Philadelphia announced that its Biotech Jobs Fair will be on Nov. 19. at the Curtis Center. The Chamber of Commerce, Philadelphia Department of Commerce, Life Sciences PA, Jefferson University, Temple University and CHOP are all partners for the fair. [BioLabs]

• The Shapiro Administration announced $450,000 in grants to support apprenticeships in Pennsylvania. [PA Gov]

• Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies announced Jen Devor as its new VP of Business Development and Operations. [LinkedIn]

🗓️ On the Calendar

• As per usual, Code and Coffee Philly is meeting at the Capital One Cafe on Saturday, Sept. 21. [More details]

• Partner event: Calling all Phounders, Phunders and Phans! Connect with fellow climate tech enthusiasts, eat some vegan food and maybe even sign up to table and promote your own venture on Sept. 21. [Sign up]

• Iffy Books is hosting a Permacomputing meetup on Sept. 22. [Details here]

• Philly EdTech Meetup’s first happy hour is on Sept. 24. [RSVP here]