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Finalists in the SVForum World Cup Tech Challenge 2015 AnnouncedSVForum, the longest standing and largest non-profit in Silicon Valley providing insight into Bay Area technology, today announced the finalists in their World Cup Tech Challenge to be held on June 4, 2015 on the Microsoft (News - Alert) Campus in Mountain View. The World Cup Tech Challenge showcases the most exciting emerging technology companies from around the world as they compete to bring home the World Championship title from Silicon Valley. With representation from 18 countries, the 25 startups accepted into the World Cup Tech Challenge have launched their products in their respective local markets and are looking to leverage Silicon Valley's unique resources. The competition brings great exposure to local VCs, corporate executives, prospective customers and media. The categories in which companies compete include: FinTech, Digital Media-Mobile, Enterprise Software, EdTech, Next Generation Technology and HealthTech. "The World Cup Tech Challenge combines global technology innovation with a touch of friendly nationalistic competition akin to the World Cup," said Adiba Barney, CEO of SVForum. "Founders participating are not only representing their companies, they are representing the pride of their home country. The best part is that anyone can follow the action as it unfolds on Twitter (News - Alert) at #WorldCupTech to participate and vote." This year, products represented in the World Cup Tech Challenge range from wearables to AI to an antimicrobial product from Andorra. Some of the companies in the competition include ZeroFOX, a U.S. company focused on cyber security for social platforms; Livox, a Brazilian company that has developed a platform which eables disabled people to communicate and learn; and Jaccoo from the Netherlands, which offers a single sign-on for all banks. Participating companies represent Andorra, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, United States and Uruguay. In addition to the competition, The World Cup Tech Challenge will feature speakers from leading Silicon Valley companies including Blackbox.VC, Blumberg Capital, Google for Entrepreneurs, Hummer Winblad (News - Alert), Microsoft Ventures, Mohr Davidow and Singularity University Labs. There are over 20 judges representing top VC firms and corporate ventures including DFJ, Greylock Partners, IBM Watson, Intel (News - Alert) Capital, Qualcomm Ventures, Trinity Ventures and Venrock. World Cup Tech Challenge global partners include Bank of the West, DLA Piper, Microsoft, Qualcomm (News - Alert) and TriNet. "We are thrilled to be partnering with SVForum on the World Cup Tech Challenge," said Thierry Gabadou, Head of the International Clientele Department at Bank of the West, a member of BNP Paribas. "Having a role in supporting the next great innovation is an exciting prospect and integral to Bank of the West's innovative spirit." "SVForum is known for opening its doors to startups worldwide to help foster growth and innovation," said Michael Torosian, Corporate Partner at DLA Piper. "The World Cup Tech Challenge brings leading global startups together in Silicon Valley to continue this tradition, and DLA Piper is honored to be a partner." "The SVForum World Cup Tech Challenge exemplifies new and unique ways to support and nurture innovation around the world while also exposing and educating interested entrepreneurs to the magic that is Silicon Valley," said Matt Thompson, GM Developer Evangelism at Microsoft. "This event is unique in the way it pulls together these different entrepreneurial ecosystems into a day, recognizing and celebrating innovation on a global scale." "SVForum's annual World Cup Tech Challenge is a highlight for tech entrepreneurs from all over the world," said Steve Apfelberg, Vice President of Marketing at TriNet. "We are inspired by the incredible innovation being driven by small and mid-sized businesses and are excited to partner with SVForum to recognize their achievements. We wish all finalists success and are looking forward to seeing who will bring home the World Championship title." About SVForum For over 30 years, SVForum has fostered innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership in Silicon Valley. We function as a center of knowledge and connections, covering everything from the latest tech trends to the startup and investment ecosystem. We have a long history of creating successful events, programs and conferences that educate, train, inspire, and connect technologists, entrepreneurs, corporations, investors, innovation, startup hubs, and students in Silicon Valley, throughout the U.S. and globally. We organize 150 different activities per year, have over 20,000 subscribers, and work with over 40 countries worldwide. For more information, visit: http://svforum.org/
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