GigVision: Chattanooga's Company Lab unveils GigTank Class of 2015

Milt Capps Updated 28 July 2015; originally published May 12, 2015
Monday, July 27, 2015 4:45 pm

GigVision: Chattanooga's Company Lab unveils GigTank Class of 2015 | Mike Bradford, Alex Lavidge, GigTank, The Company Lab, Chattanooga, broadband, VorText, Global Security Information Analysts, PlanIT Impact, Performatix, MFORCE, Paradrop, Cloud, Evolvr, real estate, Makers, manufacturing, 3D, local flows, virtual reality, VR, Branch Technology, construction, Engajer, video, analytics, wi-fi, beacons, Cansoft Communications, Architecture, environment, green, bluefield, content, Bluetooth, BDI Labs, MediaBit, AI, Ark Labs, artificial intelligence, Adagion, audio production, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, US Ignite, Matter Cafe, Axon Dynamics,

Update July 28, 2015: Branch Technology was the investors' choice at the end of pitches, while Paradrop was GigTank's people's choice winner.-Ed.

YEAR FOUR of Chattanooga's GigTank is tightly focused on advancing the most viable Gigspeed-dependent startups available.

Mike Bradford, executive director of GigTank host The Company Lab, said more targeted recruitment, including targeted outreach and screening efforts by GigTank Director Alex Lavidge and others, resulted in a field of 30 carefully vetted potential GigTank participants, from which applications were invited.

Bradford explained that GigTank's networking and recruitment efforts for this year's class included gathering leads from "lists of angel investments, a wide array of personal and professional contacts relevant to this year's GigTank, partnerships with at-scale firms (i.e., corporate 'intrapreneurship'), partnerships with regional accelerators, and by working with US Ignite," which has been developing gig teams for several years.

GigTank today announced the resulting 13 participating teams chosen from that field. The GigTank Demo Day is July 28.

A 14th team has been invited to join GigTank IV from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and this story will be updated as warranted.

Please see our earlier report on GigTank's evolution since its first event, in 2012.

GigTank IV startups:

►Adagio is developing an online platform for multichannel audio applications, including a Web-based collaborative multitrack recording studio and an interactive music education tool.

►Ark Labs' platform is used to improve residential water efficiency, with AI software and smart devices to conserve water.

►AxonDynamics is a network solutions provider from Canada.

►BDI Labs (Believe, Design, Innovate) offers MediaBit, which generates statistics on consumers' TV viewing habits.

►bluField supports delivery of location-specific, behavior-influenced content to users via local networks of Bluetooth-enabled beacons.

►Branch Technology offers 3D printing of building of construction materials, using an extrusion technology, conventional construction materials and robotics, advancing materials customization and design creativity.

►CanSoft Communications develops gigabit Wi-Fi networks, and aims to test deployment in collaboration with GigTank corporate partners.

►Engajer, which is said to have already raised $1.4MM, is an interactive video content and analytics platform that plays well with some other marketing solutions to support sales, customer support and training.

►Local Flows is developing a platform that connects suppliers of materials for Makers engaged in digital fabrication.

►Evolvr generates stereoscopic 3D images and video in a virtual-reality framework for customized presentation of real-estate properties.

►MatterCafe is a digital platform for 3D Printing materials.

►Paradrop is a software platform with router technology that enables Cloud-speed downloads of large data files.

►Perfomatix Innovations has created the MFORCE platform for mobile workforce management and service requests.

►PlanIT Impact helps architects and planners determine plans' environmental impact, with data on energy and water usage, stormwater infiltration, greenhouse gas, transportation, building mix, quality of life and ROI.

►VorText by Global Security Information Analysts (GSIA) is a mobile app for discovery, delivery and provider access of relevant healthcare-related information. VTC