George Washington University announces a new partnership with eMerge Americas

George Washington University launched a partnership with eMerge Americas, a Miami-based tech conference focused on connecting Latin America to the world’s tech ecosystem.

eMerge America’s premiere event is taking place April 29-30, at the Miami Beach Convention Center and will convene global enterprises, tech startups and government leaders focused on innovative digital solutions transforming industries, according to a press release.

“The genesis of eMerge Americas began with building out a technology conference to connect startups with global enterprises and international investors,” Manuel D. Medina, founder and Chairman of the board of eMerge Americas said in a statement. “After nearly six years, we’ve expanded our talent pipeline to include startups from across the Americas, and we are very pleased to partner with the George Washington University, which has a renowned incubator program.”

GW and eMerge Americas hosted a pitch competition on Feb. 19 at the university’s Foggy Bottom campus that resulted in three winners who were fast-tracked to the eMerge Americas Startup Showcase in April. The three winners from GW’s tech ecosystem include:

• KnoNap: a one-of-a-kind discreet napkin that tests for the presence of date rape drugs in beverages (This startup’s founder, Danya Sherman, also competed in last year’s Vinetta Project and Startup Week DC‘s final pitch competitions).
• Nanochon: a startup that creates 3D printed knee cartilage implants.
• M-Size Me: a digital obesity management tool (OBT) designed to help doctors visually explain the obesity diagnosis and to help teens achieve their weight loss goals.

“Through the eMerge Americas conference, GW will be able to showcase our growing strengths in science, technology and engineering. In addition, some of our top student innovators and entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to pitch their ideas on a global stage. We are looking forward to sharing GW’s expertise with new audiences through this partnership,” GW President Thomas LeBlanc said in a statement.

Leblanc will also join the three startups in Miami in April to host a keynote discussion at the sixth annual eMerge Americas (eGOV) Summit on April 29. During the conference, GW will present an exhibition highlighting faculty research in the areas of tech, policy, and cybersecurity, the press release states.