Since it’s first event in 2013, CodeLaunch has provided at least $1.5 million in professional software development and services to startup founders, but it has not seen any active venture capitalists make cash investments on our stages. On Nov 15th that will change.

Cyrannus $150K Investment Challenge 

All startup founders who advanced to the semifinal round between CodeLaunch Ohio 2022 and DFW 2023 will be in the running for the Cyrannus $150K investment challenge. Cyrannus founder Lee Mosbacker will announce two winners on Nov 15th, the best Cyrannus score “Commercial” startup will receive $100K and the best “Impact” startup will receive $50K! The Cyrannus platform launches in October and will be debuted at our DFW event.

Cyrannus Founder Lee Mosbacker wants to reward CodeLaunch participants with the opportunity to get real cash into their business. A Cyrannus spokesperson says there could be two separate winners, but if one winner scored the highest for both challenges, they can receive a total of $150K in investments. Cyrannus is back as presenting sponsor of CodeLaunch for it’s 6th consecutive event.

“Not only will they get the cash investment, but the founders will also be introduced to a network that will help them refine their idea and prepare them for a follow on raise.”

– Lee Mosbacker, Founder of Cyrannus  

You can learn more about the $150K challenge here.

CodeLaunch Returns to DFW

CodeLaunch, produced by Improving and presented by Cyrannus, is making its way back to the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area for its 11th consecutive annual competition in the Metroplex on November 15th, helping early-stage tech startups accelerate using our unique spin on the seed accelerator model. For entrepreneurs who want to change the trajectory of their startups by competing in CodeLaunch, the application portal will be open from August 23rd through September 24th!

CodeLaunch stands as the DFW region’s longest-running annual startup event, merging elements of a seed accelerator startup competition, a professional developer product building competition, a tech tradeshow, a startup conference, and a dynamic networking platform. Over the past decade, this touring competition has provided more than $1.5 million in software development and invaluable services to its finalists and overall champions.

CodeLaunch has helped launch noteworthy startups since its inception in North Texas in 2013. Companies like CharaChorder, ProsRent, StyleRow, KidStrong, Autix, and more were launched and accelerated through the competition. ProsRent’s exit in January of this year proved the CodeLaunch model is for real and sustainable.

CodeLaunch DFW 2023 will be held at the South Side Ballroom at Gilley’s. Improving and Contollo have already signed on to be professional hackathon sponsors, which means these leading consulting brands will provide teams to work with finalists, ensuring their technical products are accelerated and founders can close a seed round of funding.

“We are excited to have CodeLaunch back in DFW for the 11th year and it’s going to be bigger than ever. We are proud to be supporting the startup ecosystem in this way as it aligns with our commitment to Conscious Capitalism, but even more importantly, it’s making a real difference for the folks in the community.“

– David O’Hara, Improving Dallas President

Contollo, one of our professional hackathon sponsors, has partnered with CodeLaunch at every competition since dipping their toes into CodeLaunch in Nov 2022 and plans to continue their fantastic work in the “Professional Coder League” – the moniker given to professional dev teams that enter the competition.

“As a nearshore software development company with a mission to elevate technology professionals in Central America, we found an ideal partner in CodeLaunch, a platform that shares our values of innovation and conscientious capitalism. From Dallas and Houston to Atlanta, and finally to Mexico, every event we’ve attended has been an enriching experience for our team, both professionally and personally. These gatherings haven’t just met our expectations; they’ve exceeded them, enriching us economically, expanding our network, and most importantly, developing our team members into leaders and technical virtuosos.“

– Isaac Carter, Contollo Founder and Chief Technologist

Important Information for Applying Startup Founders

CodeLaunch is a free amenity for startups. It costs nothing to apply, and it does not take equity. All you need is a pitch deck, code-ready mockups, and a bucket of passion. It’s important to note that CodeLaunch competitions are open to founders from any geography or market, not just the host market. 

Startups drafted by a PCL team become “finalists”, so the mockups uploaded when you apply should be what you plan to build in your 2-day professional hackathon. This is an example of how CodeLaunch is one-of-a-kind. Each PCL team races to accelerate their drafted startup’s product development hoping to win the PCL team prize money ($2,500 in DFW) for themselves and the coveted Hackathon Championship Belt trophy for their brand. During the pitch competition and showcase event on November 15th, each startup product is demonstrated live for the first time in front of an audience of tech innovators and investors, who then interactively vote to determine winners.

If all this isn’t enough, CodeLaunch is a loud, flashy and notoriously raucous business party.

“CodeLaunch is a startups and rock-n-roll show like nothing you’ve ever seen before! It’s not like the ‘Pitch Events’ we’ve all been to. Its the greatest startup show on earth!”

– Jason W. Taylor, Founder of CodeLaunch

Ready to apply? Start Here and apply through September 24th!

Don’t miss the finale, grab your tickets here!

Media, Exhibit, and Sponsorship Inquiries 

Brands who want to support and align with our Conscious Capitalism-inspired mission by Exhibiting, Partnering, or sponsoring CodeLaunch can find out more by emailing our President and Founder, Jason W. Taylor. 

At CodeLaunch, we understand the challenges faced by startups in building their own products. Many investors hesitate to invest unless startups have a tangible product to showcase. That’s precisely the problem we’re solving. CodeLaunch offers startups the opportunity to have their product built at no cost, bridging the gap between their vision and the resources needed to bring it to life. 

Here, we explore the multitude of benefits that CodeLaunch provides to startups, helping them level up, refine their pitch, foster a supportive community, enhance their branding, and open doors to new opportunities. Discover how CodeLaunch can be the catalyst that propels your startup towards greatness – all without charging you a dime or surrendering any equity.

Level Up: Fix Weaknesses and Implement Best Practices

CodeLaunch is committed to the growth of startups, regardless of their advancement in the competition. By participating, startups have the opportunity to identify and address weaknesses, implement best practices, and align their vision with what investors seek in promising ventures. Additionally, CodeLaunch facilitates connections with pilot partners, beta users, and community development, allowing startups to expand their network and gain valuable insights.

Pitch Practice & Feedback: Sharpen Your Message 

For semifinalists and finalists, CodeLaunch offers an invaluable opportunity to refine their pitch skills. With a format that demands conciseness and clarity (4 minutes, 8 slides), startups learn to deliver a compelling message that resonates with potential investors. Moreover, the feedback received during this stage helps startups gauge the viability of their ideas, allowing them to make necessary adjustments and improvements.

UI/UX Mockups: Enhancing User Experience

Startups applying to CodeLaunch are required to submit UI/UX mockups, a crucial aspect often overlooked by applicants. While the responsibility of creating these mockups falls on the startups, the requirement prompts them to consider the user experience of their visionary products in a more comprehensive manner. This exercise not only meets the application criteria but also serves as an opportunity for startups to level up their design thinking and create a user-centric experience. 

Support via Discord Community: Forge Connections

Being part of the CodeLaunch community means gaining access to a vibrant and ever-growing network of like-minded founders, past cohorts, and CodeLaunch leadership. Through the dedicated Discord community, startups can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. This supportive environment fosters valuable relationships, provides a platform for sharing insights, and opens doors to potential partnerships.

Public Relations: Boost Your Branding and Marketing

From the moment a startup is accepted into CodeLaunch, their branding and marketing campaigns receive a significant boost. CodeLaunch encourages startups to actively promote their participation, helping them gain exposure and visibility. The journey through CodeLaunch serves as a unique narrative for startups to share with the world, attracting attention, potential customers, and further opportunities.

Eligibility for Cyrannus Challenge: Unlock Additional Investments

Startups that reach the semifinalist stage or better since CodeLaunch Ohio 2022 become eligible for the Cyrannus Challenge. This opportunity presents a chance to secure over $150K in investments awarded on stage at DFW 2023. By excelling in CodeLaunch, startups position themselves to unlock additional financial support and be introduced to the Cyrannus Network.

Finalists: Exclusive Benefits and Unforgettable Experiences

As finalists, startups gain access to a range of exclusive benefits designed to propel their growth. They receive one-on-one pitch coaching from First Gen Agency (FGA), ensuring their delivery and presentation are top-notch. Moreover, finalists have the opportunity to connect with the development teams that selected them, fostering relationships that extend beyond the CodeLaunch experience. The hackathon, valued at around $15K, offers finalists free software development services, helping them accelerate their progress. The finalists’ dinner serves as a celebration, creating lasting memories and fostering camaraderie among the accomplished participants (and the bill is on CodeLaunch)!

On the CodeLaunch stage, startups experience a truly unique event, complete with music, rockstar moments, judges, confetti, and an exhilarating exhibitor/tradeshow experience. Finalists also become eligible for the CodeLaunch & Improving Fuel Fund, receiving investment support and the chance to showcase their polished pitch video and professional photos. The prestigious status of being a CodeLaunch finalist opens doors to serious VCs and Angels, creating lasting opportunities for future growth.

CodeLaunch is not your average startup competition; it’s a transformative journey that provides startups with a multitude of benefits. From addressing weaknesses and implementing best practices to refining pitches, forging connections, and enhancing branding, CodeLaunch offers startups the tools and support needed to unlock their full potential.

By participating in CodeLaunch, startups gain access to a community of fellow entrepreneurs, expert guidance, and unique opportunities that can shape their path towards success.

Embrace the CodeLaunch experience and watch your startup soar to new heights!

A message from CodeLaunch President and Founder, Jason W. Taylor.

In the ever-evolving world of technology, where innovation and entrepreneurship intersect, a truly unique platform was born in 2013 – CodeLaunch. With a decade of execution, 15 events, 74 accelerated startups and 1 big exit under our belt, we stride into the future. Today we are thrilled to announce the expansion of the CodeLaunch startup accelerator competition in 2024, and the birth of the inaugural World Championship. We’re here to break down the journey that lies ahead, a journey that promises to be exciting, innovative, and transformative for tech startups, investors, and one thought-leading host market!

CodeLaunch is more than just a startup accelerator; it is a movement that seeks to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. We strive to empower tech startups by providing them access to professional software development teams and the platform to showcase their ventures to potential investors, all while retaining the full ownership of their intellectual property, equity, and cash.

Breaking the traditional norms of the startup accelerator space, CodeLaunch does not take any equity from startups founders nor require money from them. Instead, we focus on providing them with the necessary resources, education and platform to turn their vision into investible ventures with tangible digital products. This unique proposition, inspired by the tenets of Conscious Capitalism, has allowed us to forge a strong bond with startups, providing an environment for them to flourish without fear of losing control over their innovative I.P.

Along this journey, which began in 2013, we found support from Improving, and in 2019 Improving became our parent company. Their aligned belief in our mission and values has allowed us to scale our operations. As a result of this partnership, CodeLaunch has been growing year on year, hosting 3 events in 2022, 4 in 2023, and is now rolling out the next chapter in 2024.

Our growth is marked by a clear vision – to produce six major events across North America, covering Canada, Mexico, and the United States by 2024. These events serve as a steppingstone to our grand finale – the CodeLaunch “World Championship” event integrated into a two-day VC & Angel conference. Scheduled for mid-November 2024, this event will bring together the best and the fastest-growing startups from our 5 preceding events, providing a platform to showcase their potential to venture capitalists and angel investors from across the continent. This 6 Events & Championship model will be our annual operation going forward.

Hosting the CodeLaunch World Championship creates an opportunity facing unique audience of N. American Venture investors too. The CodeLaunch World Championship promises to be more than just an event; it’s a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. The host city or sponsor will be presented with a unique opportunity to brand this championship as their own, gaining promotion throughout the year within our CodeLaunch community and throughout our tour schedule. This provides an excellent opportunity for cities or sponsors to enhance their brand recognition, with an estimate of over 500,000 brand impressions across various digital marketing mediums and in-person events.

This finale startup competition and VC & Angel Conference is an exciting opportunity for the host city or sponsor to position their market as a thought-leading hub of innovation and tech entrepreneurship. This can help attract relocating employers, new residents, additional investors, startups, and talent to their ecosystem, thus fueling their local economy. Besides, it offers a chance to impact the local economy positively with two days of hotel and economic impact from an estimated 50-100 VC and Angel attendees, and hundreds of other exhibitors, startups, and CodeLaunch participants.

Besides our five feeder event champions and other standout finalists which will total 8 competing at the World Championship, we will offer our host market to optionally seat one local standout finalist, adding a local flavor to this international event. The host city or sponsor will also have the chance to seat an interactive judge panelist on stage, host VIP activities and content for VCs/Angels, and much more.

We are excited about CodeLaunch in 2024 and beyond. This is our call to all ambitious tech startup founders seeking acceleration, investors looking for the next big thing in tech, and for one unique host market to help lift us up and join us in this grand event. 

The future of technology is here at CodeLaunch, and we can’t wait to see what it brings!

Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for more updates on CodeLaunch 2024. Let’s continue to push boundaries and create opportunities for the next generation of tech entrepreneurs. Together, we can accelerate the pace of innovation, create tighter bonds in our tech communities, launch some startups and change some lives for the better. See you at CodeLaunch 2024!

Jason W. Taylor
President and Founder
CodeLaunch, an Improving Company

CodeLaunch presents a unique opportunity for professional software development teams to level up developer skill, experience, business development, recruiting, retention, team culture, and employee pride. The CodeLaunch PCL (Professional Coder League) is turning developers into impactful heroes who can help launch startups and make dreams come true. Entering a CodeLaunch PCL (Professional Coder League) Hackathon Team into a CodeLaunch event near you unlocks a multitude of benefits. Let’s explore the valuable advantages that await companies who choose to be part of CodeLaunch.

Level Up Developer Skill and Experience

Whether working on your company’s proprietary tools and products, or consulting for 3^rd parties to build theirs, developers can get stuck in a rut. Working on the same product every day can get old to engineering minds eager to learn and build new things. Enter CodeLaunch – we pair the very best startups who accelerate through our challenging startup competition with dev teams and these startups often need new emerging and edge-tech solutions that developers LOVE to work on and learn on. Your devs bring these experiences and skills back to your business goals after CodeLaunch.

Business Development, Recruiting and Retention

By aligning with CodeLaunch your brand is now amongst the elite in your market. This attracts new business, new people, and retains the people you have. By inviting prospects and your own key stakeholders and clients to see the great work your team is capable of, you are building a network of “Brand Ambassadors” – people who will come away from CodeLaunch impressed and sure that your organization is leading the way in business, culture, and a commitment to uplifting your community.

Win the Title “Hackathon Team Champion” and $2,000 USD ($36K MXN) for your Developers

Working on a startup’s product for two 12-hour days is tough. That’s why we bring some unique rewards to every event specifically for the devs who give their skill and energy to our finalist startups. It starts with our PCL Jerseys which we bring to every dev on the team and represent your brand as well as CodeLaunch and PCL. These devs are heroes just like our favorite athletes! One team’s startup will win the actual event on stage, as chosen by the live audience. This team gets two more incredible rewards: The one of a kind Hackathon Team Championship Belt trophy (looks great in the office and is commonly worn proudly at the office all year) and we hand the winning dev team $2,000 USD ($36K MXN) in cash on stage too!

Showcasing Ability and Expertise

As a Hackathon Team at CodeLaunch, sponsors have the chance to demonstrate their product development capability and highlight their team’s expertise. By dedicating their skills and knowledge to accelerating the development of a CodeLaunch finalist’s product, companies can make a tangible impact within a focused timeframe. The work accomplished during the hackathon is showcased in a captivating 30-second video which is demonstrated by the founder to the live CodeLaunch audience and judges, providing a powerful platform for brand impressions.

CodeLaunch is the only way we’ve met our economic goals so far this year. I couldn’t afford not to do CodeLaunch.

– Isaac Carter, Founder of Contollo (4-time Hackathon Team sponsor)

Brand Amplification and Growth

Sponsoring a CodeLaunch PCL Hackathon Team amplifies a company’s brand presence within your community. The event provides a platform to gain exposure and recognition among industry leaders, potential clients, and investors.  Your brand is now an elite community-minded thought leader. Our sponsors and partners typically get around 100K brand impressions per 8-week event cycle across all our marketing mediums and at the event. The dramatic video of your Hackathon Team in action further enhances a company’s visibility, with the resulting video prominently showcased during CodeLaunch by our emcee. This exposure can drive growth, attracting new clients and business opportunities.

Team Culture and Employee Pride

The finale event is an incredible opportunity for you to bring your whole company together at an event which will inspire them, fill them with pride in the brand that employs them, and further strengthen your organizations culture. Quite simply you bring all your people and we make sure they have fun and come away inspired and happy. The best part is we do all the work to produce your company event, turn-keyed! This is more important than ever in our new culture of remote teams.

Lasting Impact

CodeLaunch PCL Hackathon Team sponsors contribute to the growth and advancement of the tech industry and startup ecosystem. The work accomplished during the hackathon can have a lasting impact on the CodeLaunch finalists and their products. By dedicating their skills and resources, Hackathon Teams play a crucial role in accelerating the development of innovative solutions, propelling finalists towards success and impacting economies.

Cultivating Innovation through Conscious Capitalism

CodeLaunch unleashes the power of Conscious Capitalism and encourages innovative thinking. Participating as a Hackathon Team allows companies to challenge themselves and push boundaries in a supportive and collaborative environment. The two-day coding event fosters creativity and sparks new ideas. This concentrated focus on innovation can lead to breakthroughs in product development and inspire the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and practices which come back to your organization after the event.

Why CodeLaunch?

CodeLaunch offers professional software development teams a remarkable opportunity to showcase their expertise, foster innovation, and connect with top talent. PCL Hackathon Teams can benefit from showcasing their product development capability, amplifying their brand presence, and cultivating valuable partnerships. This immersive experience not only accelerates the development of CodeLaunch finalists’ products but also pushes boundaries and leaves a lasting impact on the tech industry. Don’t miss out on the exciting opportunity to challenge your team, compete with the best, network with industry leaders, and make a meaningful difference at CodeLaunch.

CodeLaunch Mexico 2023

CodeLaunch is coming to Guadalajara, Mexico on August 30th for their first international event!

Are you a Mexico-based professional software company interested in joining the CodeLaunch PCL and level up your business? Contact CodeLaunch Production Lead Ankeel Bhakta at ankeel.bhakta@improving.com to get the process started!

In the world of startups, the journey from a humble beginning to a lucrative exit is often a winding path fraught with obstacles and challenges. That journey is often made possible through strategic startup funding, a crucial aspect of any venture’s growth and success. This story of such triumph is embodied in the rise of ProsRent, a unique startup that grew from its initial presentation on the CodeLaunch IV stage in 2016 to a $20M exit in 2023. 

During a recent We Code, You Launch podcast episode, CodeLaunch Founder, Jason W. Taylor, sat down with Nick Powell, CEO, and Pearson Brock, CRO, of ProsRent to discuss their startup’s journey from CodeLaunch to exit. Check out Episode 42 of We Code, You Launch in its entirety using the inline player below. 

The Crucial Role of CodeLaunch in Startup Funding 

In 2016, ProsRent was an embryonic-stage startup with a vision of becoming the ‘Airbnb’ for heavy equipment rentals in the commercial construction industry. At the time, “everything” was managed through Google Sheets, which was a daunting and time-consuming process for their team. In order to scale their venture, the ProsRent stakeholders knew they needed a more efficient solution and they received their first taste of seed funding through the support of CodeLaunch – a significant milestone that would set the trajectory for the success of ProsRent. 

ProsRent CEO, Nick Powell, credits a substantial part of the company’s startup funding journey to their CodeLaunch experience. ProsRent Founder, John Clark, introduced Powell to the transformative power of startup competitions like CodeLaunch in providing initial funding for early-stage ventures. 

Ironically, the decision to apply for CodeLaunch was not initially on their radar. In fact, 30 days prior to making their pitch, ProsRent was still just an idea. Clark had called Taylor to discuss possible ideas for website development when the topic of entering CodeLaunch was brought up. 

“Had it not been for CodeLaunch, ProsRent would simply not exist,” said Clark. He views his experience as ‘one huge, valuable focus group,’ and CodeLaunch provided ProsRent with the exposure and feedback they needed to validate that their concept fulfilled a real need in the marketplace.  

ProsRent’s strong business model, pitch deck, and relentless involvement propelled them into the Finalists round of the competition, where they were paired with a professional software development team to build out an MVP of their solution. You can read more about ProsRent’s CodeLaunch experience here. 

The CodeLaunch event not only served as a springboard for ProsRent’s success but also allowed the team to redefine their product roadmap. CodeLaunch, operating as a startup incubator, contributed to the initial phases of building the complex technology ProsRent needed to escalate their business model. 

Understanding the Need for Pivot: A Crucial Lesson in Startup Funding

The ProsRent team soon discovered the necessity for pivots in their startup journey. The original plan was to integrate with other companies for rapid product delivery. However, the team quickly realized that these companies were not open to sharing information, a hurdle many startups face when seeking funding. 

In response to this challenge, ProsRent adapted in 2019, opting to build the tech themselves. This pivot was not only a strategic decision but also a critical component of their startup funding journey, as it demonstrated to investors their capability to adapt and innovate in the face of obstacles. 

In the words of Pearson Brock, CRO of ProsRent, “We held each other accountable and came as a team to launch new ideas that became solutions for our client base.” This mentality not only served to keep the team cohesive but also appealed to potential investors, who are always on the lookout for resilient teams when considering offering funding to startups. 

Decoding the Complex Dance of Startup Fundraising

Fundraising is a crucial part of securing startup funding, and for ProsRent, this was no different. The team had to navigate the complex process of attracting investors. By 2021, ProsRent realized they needed to identify strategic investors to align with their vision and growth plans. 

“Fundraising is about more than just seeking funds. It involves educating investors about your company, its ROI, and the timeline of your startup. Having a clear structure for investor meetings is key,” advises Nick Powell. Powell also cautions startups against giving away too much equity to investors early on, a valuable lesson for any startup on the lookout for funding. 

Acquisition: The Ultimate Startup Funding Milestone

As ProsRent’s journey evolved, so did its competition. A major player in the market, Big Rentz, was always a large competitor. However, in a strategic turn of events, the ProsRent board identified a merger/acquisition scenario with Big Rentz as a viable strategy for growth. 

The acquisition process began in May 2022 and was structured to retain and build upon the ProsRent book of business. The acquisition, being a significant milestone in the startup funding journey, promised the stakeholders at ProsRent a return of 3x-5x their original investment. 

Giving Back to the Startup Community

Despite their remarkable growth, ProsRent has remained loyal to its roots. They have continued to support CodeLaunch over the years, recognizing the integral role it played in their journey.  

ProsRent regularly sets up a booth at CodeLaunch expos, contributing to the community that once served as their startup funding lifeline. 

In conclusion, the story of ProsRent is a testament to the power of strategic startup funding. Their journey from the CodeLaunch stage to a $20M exit serves as a beacon of hope and a roadmap to success for budding startups around the globe. 

Do you have a vision for a startup like ProsRent? CodeLaunch is heading to Guadalajara, Mexico in August, and applications are now open! Don’t miss the deadline on June 16th. Apply here for your chance to kickstart your own startup funding journey. 

CodeLaunch, produced by Improving and presented by Cyrannus, is making its way back to Atlanta for the second time on May 10^th, and you can get your tickets now! 

CodeLaunch helps early-stage startups succeed using our unique spin on the seed accelerator model. It’s a combination of a seed accelerator competition, a tech tradeshow, a startup conference, and a rousing networking event. The touring competition has given more than $1.6M in services to its finalists and overall winners since it started a decade ago. 

“CodeLaunch is a startup and rock-n-roll show like nothing you’ve ever seen before!”

– CodeLaunch President and Founder Jason W. Taylor  

CodeLaunch has helped launch noteworthy startups since its inception in North Texas in 2013. Companies like CharaChorder, ProsRent, StyleRow, KidStrong, Autix, Evva Health, and more were launched and accelerated through the competition. 

CodeLaunch ATL 2023 will be held at the Buckhead Theatre. The six professional hackathon teams will be provided by these leading software consulting brands: 

• Contollo + Wise Assistant 
• Build Technology Group + FundHub 
• Abel Solutions + Agrippon 
• PS-AI + Practice-Quest 
• Improving Nearshore + UnicornForms 
• Improving Atlanta + Cast-U 

CodeLaunch ATL 2023 Finalists 

One of our finalists, Timothy Butler, tells us this is his second time applying for CodeLaunch.

“After failing to make the top draft as a semifinalist in CodeLaunch Houston, I drove overnight from Tulsa to Houston on a shoestring budget, even sleeping in my car, to exhibit and learn. When I arrived at the event, I saw rich opportunities in Houston for Atlanta and then pursued it alongside my team.

Timothy Butler, FundHub Founder and CodeLaunch ATL 2023 Finalist

The FundHub founder says he looks forward to continuing his startup’s work of shrinking the wealth gap and providing for-profit and nonprofit founders access to grant funding so they can transform their respective communities.

“At CodeLaunch Atlanta, we look forward to the chance to: compete for cash and in-kind services, create awareness of FundHub on a larger scale, build critical tech for our platform, connect with VCs, ecosystems, fellow founders, and networks in need of our grant services, and recruit beta testers for our platform.”

Timothy Butler, FundHub Founder and CodeLaunch ATL 2023 Finalist

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 Success Stories 

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 winner, Evva Health, has passed a lot of milestones since then. Founder Carl Hanna tells us their equity crowdfunding was successful, as they raised a quarter of a million dollars. Evva Health’s next goal: product launch. 

“When you interact with anyone at CodeLaunch, you can tell they care and are passionate about helping startups. We are gearing up for our product launch hopefully in Q2, and CodeLaunch gave us the boost we needed to get here.”

– Carl Hanna, Evva Health Founder

Contract Sprint Chief Visionary, Jonathan Page, will be a judge for CodeLaunch ATL 2023. Contract Sprint is also a sponsor of the competition.

“We are thrilled and eagerly anticipating the upcoming CodeLaunch event that we have proudly sponsored. It is an honor to be a part of this community and we can’t wait to see the amazing things that will come from it.” 

– Jonathan Page, Contract Sprint Chief Visionary

Another great sponsor and supporter of CodeLaunch is Dell for Startups. The team is delighted about the opportunity to partner once again for this event. 

“We are constantly incorporating new partners that get us in front of entrepreneurs and create relationships. CodeLaunch is exactly the type of partner we want, and we are very excited to participate in the Atlanta CodeLaunch competition.”

– Lucas Chaya del Pino, Head of Dell for Startups 

Cyrannus 150K Investment Challenge 

All startup founders who advance to the semifinal round of CodeLaunch will be in the running for the Cyrannus $100K investment challenge, as well as the $50K challenge for Impact Startups! 

Cyrannus Founder Lee Mosbacker wants to reward CodeLaunch participants with the opportunity to get real cash into their business. A Cyrannus spokesperson says there could be two separate winners, but if one winner scored the highest for both challenges, they can receive $150K in investments in total.   

“Not only will they get the cash, but also be introduced to a network that will help them refine their idea and get ready for their first big fundraiser.”

– Lee Mosbacker, Cyrannus Founder  

You can learn more about the 150K challenge here.

Join Us at CodeLaunch ATL 2023! 

CodeLaunch ATL 2023 will be held at Buckhead Theatre on May 10^th. Get your tickets here!

Media, Exhibit, and Sponsorship Inquiries 

You and your brand are invited to CodeLaunch. There is still time for your brand to align with CodeLaunch and Conscious Capitalism. Parties interested in exhibit space, media, and sponsorship may contact Jason W. Taylor. 

CodeLaunch is Going on Tour!

In the high-stakes world of startup entrepreneurship, the narrative of CharaChorder stands out not only as an example of innovative product development, but also as a masterclass in securing startup funding. 

CharaChorder’s startup journey began in 2019 when Riley Keen strolled into the CodeLaunch office clutching a peculiar-looking device – a concept that would later revolutionize how we type. Now, in 2023, CharaChorder boasts a thriving business, multiple product lines, and a global user base.

The genesis of CharaChorder is rooted in its mission – to vastly accelerate the average human typing speed from 40 words per minute to 250 words per minute, mirroring the pace of human reading comprehension. In under four years since the product’s grand reveal at CodeLaunch 7, the company has made giant strides toward achieving this ambitious goal.

Startup Funding and CodeLaunch: A Defining Moment

So, what exactly is CharaChorder? Unlike the QWERTY-based typing method we are accustomed to, CharaChorder utilizes a state-of-the-art chorded keyboard that allows users to input the letters of a word both individually and simultaneously while the internal processor automatically arranges the letters on the screen in real time.

This hyper-fluent interface was inspired by Riley’s personal experience living at home with his non-verbal father. This groundbreaking device would now allow him to communicate at the same speed that we speak.

The first version of CharaChorder, dubbed CharaChorder One was showcased for the first time at CodeLaunch and operates via the movement of the device, replacing the need for standard typing. This innovative concept harmoniously combines traditional and novel typing methods, underpinning CharaChorder’s success.

“CodeLaunch was a significant turning point for us, marking the first public display of our product, years in the making,” reminisces Riley Keen, CharaChorder’s founder. The platform not only presented the perfect timing but also the ideal audience for unveiling the fruits of their labor.

Startup Funding and Beyond: The CharaChorder CodeLaunch Experience

Despite not securing the winning title at CodeLaunch 7, CharaChorder still emerged victorious. They gained access to free software development services through the startup competition, along with a platform to showcase their innovation. Connections established at CodeLaunch continue to be integral to Riley’s network, encompassing investors and a team member of the winning startup, 3GStrong, who currently uses CharaChorder at their workplace.

After CodeLaunch, the CharaChorder team explored other avenues of startup funding. They attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), attracting the interest of angel investors. Crowdfunding through Kickstarter was also leveraged, enabling customers to pre-order their inaugural commercial product. Their startup funding journey culminated in a profitable year in 2022.

Harnessing social media, Riley also built a following of over 150K on TikTok, which proved instrumental in promoting their product without heavy advertising expenditure.

A Unique Take on Startup Funding: Riley’s Advice to Founders

With only about half a million dollars in startup funding, CharaChorder’s financial trajectory deviates from the norm of multi-million dollar funds associated with startup success. Riley’s take on startup funding emphasizes not relying solely on investments. He believes in minimizing undue pressure on entrepreneurs and investors, which often results in premature product launches that could jeopardize the company or product’s viability.

Riley’s sage advice to startups: Utilize your investments to expand your brand and products, but don’t let them be your lifeline. CharaChorder has made strategic decisions regarding its investors, inviting contributions from lawyers who offer additional contract-related advice and technology industry insiders who help refine their products.

Future Goals: The Road Ahead

With their startup funding journey behind them, CharaChorder’s 2023 goal is straightforward. They aim to ramp up their product delivery to weekly schedules (a vast improvement from the previous 3-4 month wait time) and incorporate customer feedback to enhance their offerings.

“We owe our accomplishments to our community. Their unique insights guide us to improve every day. That’s how you elevate a company,” says Riley. This inclusive approach reflects the team’s belief that creating something for marginalized groups can have widespread benefits.

For more insights about CharaChorder, its products, and its mission, visit its website here. Hear more from Riley on our podcast We Code, You Launch, a live weekly interactive session open to our growing Discord community every Monday from 4:30-5:30 CDT. Listen to Riley’s episode now.

Finally, as we gear up for our second competition in Atlanta on May 10th, we invite you to join us and experience the exciting world of startup funding and launches. Find out all about this startup event here!

CodeLaunch, produced by Improving and presented by Cyrannus, made a tremendous mark on the Houston startup community. 

Congratulations to E 360 for winning CodeLaunch HOU 2023! E 360 worked with their hackathon sponsor Honeycomb Software throughout the week to claim the title of “Best Startup in Houston”. They also went home with the Judge’s Choice award.

“CodeLaunch is such an amazing event. The production quality was just out of this world. The stage, the lights, the music, it was all just so professional, I felt like a rock star. We are so honored to have been both the judge’s and voter’s choice winners. I would highly recommend any startup or early-stage business to apply for CodeLaunch.” – E 360 Founder Matt Bonasera

Our judges were The ION Senior Director of Ecosystems, Joey Sanches, Continuum Solutions Founding Partner Allison Hardy, GCC/HOME DEPOT VP of Software Development Tim Coonfield, and Cyrannus.IO CEO Michael Camp.

This CodeLaunch was unique because it was the final event for Houston Tech Rodeo, which is a series of events organized by Houston Exponential. The Rodeo corrals the greatest minds in the global and local tech community. Because of this, a mayoral debate took place before our competition.

Audience members enjoyed being entertained by comedian Josh Stramiello before the competition began as the show opener. This was Josh’s third time opening for a CodeLaunch competition.

There were 47 exhibitors at CodeLaunch. They were a blend between startups and CodeLaunch community partners and sponsors. So, there was an extensive amount of networking before and after the main competition.

A major thank you to our presenting sponsor, Cyrannus for their support during this CodeLaunch HOU 2023. The show would not have been such a spectacular success without you! 

Also, thank you to our Professional Hackathon Sponsors who worked tirelessly with our finalists to ensure their technical products were accelerated and that they can close a seed round of funding. 

• Softeq + Gophr
• Honeycomb Software + E 360
• BJSS + Drinkicks
• Contollo + Inpathy
• Blue People + Drivingo
• Improving + AnyShift

Shoutout to all of the CodeLaunch HOU 2023 finalists who will now go on to launch viable startup companies! 

View the gallery from CodeLaunch HOU 2023 here

All About CodeLaunch 

CodeLaunch is a traveling seed accelerator and startup expo that connects early-stage startups with invaluable seed services critical to stimulating their business. Unlike many startup accelerators, CodeLaunch is completely free to apply, and there is no equity surrendered. 

The professional hackathon is one way that CodeLaunch is truly unique. Each finalist is paired with a professional development team that accelerates product development and builds out as much of their MVP as possible in a 2-day time frame. During the pitch competition, the product is demoed live and for the first time in front of a live audience, who then votes for the overall winner. 

CodeLaunch HOU 2023 went above and beyond our expectations! We are thankful for everyone who came out to support the event and the Houston startup community. 

CodeLaunch ATL 2023 is Around the Corner 

CodeLaunch is heading back to Atlanta for its second competition there. Our application portal is open now through Friday, March 10^th at Midnight! Click this link to learn more and then apply here if you are a founder who wants to change the trajectory of your startup. 

After Atlanta, we are going international! Guadalajara, Mexico will be our third stop of the year. Learn more here. 

CodeLaunch is going on tour!

Learn about each final startup before the final competition on March 2nd!

Professional Hackathon Team: Blue People

Tell us about Drivingo:

Drivingo is the world’s first completely automated Drive-Thru system. It uses ASL-based gestures trained by machine learning to take users’ orders without ever needing to speak with an employee. As it stands, many companies within the quick-service-restaurant industry are suffering from a multitude of lawsuits, as a direct result of their gap in accessibility and lack of sensitivity training. Companies know this is an issue, but don’t know how to solve it; that’s where Drivingo comes in. We offer much-needed sensitivity training as well as our own software that allows anyone to order quickly and easily. In addition, our software also eliminates some identified issues within this industry, such as inaccurate sensors, leading to faulty data when reviewing lead times.  

What are you looking forward to when it comes to CodeLaunch?

Codelaunch provides an amazing stage for us to present Drivingo to such a diverse audience. We’ve also been given access to incredible resources, pushing us further along our goals than we could have ever done ourselves at such an early stage in our start-up. Being a member of the Codelaunch family gives us an opportunity to make meaningful and impactful connections with potential partners and investors.  

Professional Hackathon Team: Contollo

Tell us about Inpathy:

Inpathy is a social app creating empathetic communities through transparency, normalizing moods, and recreating the social media experience to better serve people’s well-being and digital identity formation. 

Inpathy’s mission is to create a social platform that promotes emotional intelligence and mental wellness, rather than contributing to the increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and dissatisfaction among young people. At Inpathy, we believe social media has connected us for a greater purpose beyond use as a tool for entertainment, networking, and monetization. Therefore, we believe social media is not in its final form. Inpathy will be the future of social tech that uses social media and AI to provide digital mental health solutions. 

What are you looking forward to when it comes to CodeLaunch?

Team Inpathy is looking forward to taking the stage and showing Houston, Texas why we set out on this bold initiative to #SpreadInpathy! We are excited to display all the hard work that Contollo and our Founding team have put into making sure that we deliver passion, entertainment, and vision to Codelaunch HOU 2023. We have no doubt that we will leave this event with the tools, direction, and resources needed to accelerate Inpathy toward our next successful milestone.

Professional Hackathon Team: BJSS

Tell us about Drinkicks:

DrinKicks is a sneaker-themed consumer packaged goods company that is focused on repurposing food waste and recycled materials into sustainable goods such as shoes, sports equipment, and clothing all while educating consumers on the power of the circular economy.  Our approach will provide exposure to an important topic through the lens of sneaker culture. Our motto is Mind-Body-Laces. The users will benefit by changing how they think about consumption (Mind). Users will learn about healthy products and habits for both themselves personally and the Earth (Body). Users will be more educated and have the threads (Laces) to tie everything together. 

What are you looking forward to when it comes to CodeLaunch?

We are looking forward to working with BJSS and creating amazing technology that will help shift how people think about recycling and sustainability. We are so excited and grateful to have this opportunity and we cannot wait to experience the entire CodeLaunch process. 

Professional Hackathon Team: Softeq

Tell us about Gophr:

Gophr App Inc. is a marriage between Software as a Service and Delivery. We are a delivery technology platform that provides same-day and expedited shipping, and a simple delivery solution for any business.  From pharmacies and machine shops to construction sites, to flower shops and more, we offer seamless delivery innovation. Snap a photo, instantly receive a quote and submit. Let Gophr handle all the headaches and costs of logistics for you. 

We believe Gophr is the ultimate one-two combination of local marketplace and delivery solutions. For customers, our mobile app combines convenient local shopping with same-day delivery from their favorite local retail businesses. For commercial and industrial merchants, our platform connects them with a fleet of vehicles that spans from compact cars to big rigs for affordable on-demand deliveries. Gophr is focused on helping local businesses thrive, while also having a nationwide long-term goal.  

What are you looking forward to when it comes to CodeLaunch?

We are looking forward to pitching in front of potentially thousands of people and introducing them to our services. 

Professional Hackathon Team: Improving

Tell us about AnyShift:

AnyShift is an on-demand platform connecting flexible workers with businesses in the retail, hospitality, and warehousing industries.

What are you looking forward to when it comes to CodeLaunch?

We recently moved to Houston. So, we are very excited to be presenting our product and the demo designed by Improving to an audience of 2000+ people! 

Professional Hackathon Team: Honeycomb Software

Tell us about E 360:

E 360 is a holistic building solution. We monitor both the energy efficiency and indoor air quality of commercial buildings and help customers save energy, greenhouse gas emissions and cost all while also dramatically improving the indoor air quality. We do this by monitoring vast sums of IOT data and then using Machine Learning and real-time monitoring we adjust the building to optimize its performance.  This is a revolutionary way to look at commercial buildings. The vast majority of buildings are both incredibly inefficient as well as dangerous to their occupants; due to the dangerous levels of compounds in the air. We solve both these complex problems at the same time. This is unheard of in our industry. 

What are you looking forward to when it comes to CodeLaunch?

We are looking forward to meeting industry leaders and investors who can help take the product to the next level. 

CodeLaunch, produced by Improving and presented by Cyrannus, is making its way back to Atlanta for the second time on May 10th and you can be a part of the competition! The application portal is open NOW until March 10th!

CodeLaunch helps early-stage tech startups close angel, pre-seed, and seed round funding. It’s a combination of a seed accelerator competition, a tech tradeshow, a startup conference, and a rousing networking event. The touring competition has given more than $1.4M in services to its finalists and overall winners since it started a decade ago.

“CodeLaunch is a startup and rock-n-roll show like nothing you’ve ever seen before!” – CodeLaunch President and Founder Jason W. Taylor 

CodeLaunch has helped launch noteworthy startups since its inception in North Texas in 2013. Companies like CharaChorder, ProsRent, StyleRow, KidStrong, Autix, Evva Health, and more were launched and accelerated through the competition.

CodeLaunch ATL 2023 will be held at the Buckhead Theatre. Improving, Contollo, and Build Technology Group have already signed on to be professional hackathon sponsors, which means these leading consulting brands will provide teams to work with finalists, ensuring their technical products are accelerated and founders can close a seed round of funding.

Evva Health passed a lot of milestones since they won CodeLaunch ATL 2021. Founder Carl Hanna tells us their equity crowdfunding was successful, as they raised a quarter of a million dollars. Evva Health’s next goal: product launch.

“When you interact with anyone at CodeLaunch, you can tell they care and are passionate about helping startups. We are gearing up for our product launch hopefully in Q2, and CodeLaunch gave us the boost we needed to get here.” – Carl Hanna, Evva Health Founder

BowlNow.com Founder and CodeLaunch ATL 2023 Judge said he is eager to see the talent that will come out of this event.

“I’m greatly anticipating the innovative minds of Atlanta who have taken the leap to engage in an entrepreneurial journey. The individuals who are bold enough to step up and put it all on the line for an idea are the ones changing the world, and it will be an honor to participate.” Dan Mowery, BowlNow.com Founder

Cyrannus 150K Investment Challenge

All startup founders who advance to the semifinal round of CodeLaunch will be in the running for the Cyrannus $100K investment challenge, as well as the $50K challenge for Impact Startups!

Cyrannus Founder Lee Mosbacker wants to reward CodeLaunch participants with the opportunity to get real cash into their business. A Cyrannus spokesperson says there could be two separate winners, but if one winner scored the highest for both challenges, they can receive $150K in investments in total.  

“Not only will they get the cash, but also be introduced to a network that will help them refine their idea and get ready for their first big fundraiser.” – Lee Mosbacker, Cyrannus Founder 

You can learn more about the 150K challenge here.

Important Applicant Information

CodeLaunch is a free amenity for startups. It costs nothing to apply, and it does not take equity. All you need is a pitch deck, code-ready mockups, and passion. It’s important to note that CodeLaunch competitions are open to founders from any geography or market, not just the host market. 

If you are selected as a finalist, your mockups should be what you hope to build in your 2-day professional hackathon. This is one way that our competition stands out from the crowd. Each finalist is drafted by a professional development team that accelerates product development and builds out as much of the MVP as possible. During the pitch competition and showcase event on May 10th, each startup product is demonstrated live for the first time in front of an audience, who then interactively votes to determine winners.

Ready to apply? Go to our application portal now through March 10th! You can also learn more about CodeLaunch ATL 2023 here. 

Brands who want to support and align with our Conscious Capitalism-inspired mission at CodeLaunch can find out more by emailing jason@codelaunch.com.

CodeLaunch is going on tour!

CodeLaunch, produced by Improving and presented by Cyrannus, is making its way back to Houston for the second time on March 2^nd after a spectacular debut last Spring, and you can get your tickets now!

CodeLaunch helps early-stage startups succeed using our unique spin on the seed accelerator model. It’s a combination of a seed accelerator competition, a tech tradeshow, a startup conference, and a rousing networking event. The touring competition has given more than $1.4M in services to its finalists and overall winners since it started a decade ago.  

“CodeLaunch is a startup and rock-n-roll show like nothing you’ve ever seen before!” – CodeLaunch President and Founder Jason W. Taylor 

CodeLaunch has helped launch noteworthy startups since its inception in North Texas in 2013. Companies like CharaChorder, ProsRent, StyleRow, KidStrong, Autix, and more were launched and accelerated through the competition.

“CodeLaunch created an energetic environment in Houston! In 2023 it will be twice as big! I believe CodeLaunch is a catalyst for growth in Houston.” – Joey Sanchez, Cup of Joey Founder and The Ion Houston Senior Director of Ecosystems

CodeLaunch HOU 2023 will be held at 713 Music Hall. The six professional hackathon teams will be provided by these leading Houston software consulting brands:

• Softeq + Gophr
• Honeycomb Software + E 360
• BJSS + Drinkicks
• Contollo + Inpathy
• Blue People + Drivingo
• Improving + AnyShift

CodeLaunch HOU 2023 Finalists

Softeq is back for its second year after working with Codiac last March.

CodeLaunch HOU 2022 Success Stories 

Startup ResQ TRX won CodeLaunch HOU 2022 last March. TRX is a platform dedicated to trucking logistics recovery launched its product and is now raising $5M through crowdfunding.

After Clutch won Judges’ Choice, it closed a pre-seed round worth 1.2M with partners from San Francisco-based Precursor Ventures, as well as investments from Capital Factory and HearstLab.

Another finalist founder, Ben Ghazi, says CodeLaunch was extremely powerful for his startup, Codiac. 

“Codelaunch was great. We gained customers, investors, and a lot of local notoriety. It was the best event we had all last year!” – Ben Ghazi, Codiac Founder

Cyrannus 150K Investment Challenge

All startup founders who advance to the semifinal round of CodeLaunch will be in the running for the Cyrannus $100K investment challenge, as well as the $50K challenge for Impact Startups!

Cyrannus Founder Lee Mosbacker wants to reward CodeLaunch participants with the opportunity to get real cash into their business. A Cyrannus spokesperson says there could be two separate winners, but if one winner scored the highest for both challenges, they can receive $150K in investments in total.  

“Not only will they get the cash, but also be introduced to a network that will help them refine their idea and get ready for their first big fundraiser.” – Lee Mosbacker, Cyrannus Founder 

You can learn more about the 150K challenge here.

Catch us at the Houston Tech Rodeo 

CodeLaunch will continue to partner with Houston Tech Rodeo after a wonderful relationship last year. Houston Tech Rodeo is a series of events organized by Houston Exponential. 

The Rodeo corrals the greatest minds in the global and local tech community. This helps the mission of Houston Exponential, which is to develop a collection of resources in order to connect Houston Stakeholders with the global tech and innovation community to further the city’s economic growth. 

“Houston Exponential could not be more excited about our partnership with CodeLaunch Houston. They are a fantastic ally in Houston’s efforts to serve its growing startup community and CodeLaunch is an incredible fit for the capstone of the 2022 Tech Rodeo. Finishing off Tech Rodeo with CodeLaunch’s exciting atmosphere will be a highly anticipated event for the Houston innovation ecosystem after an engaging week of programming.” – Houston Exponential CEO Natara Branch

Join Us at CodeLaunch HOU 2023!

CodeLaunch HOU 2023 will be held at 713 Music Hall on March 2nd. Get your tickets here!

Media, Exhibit, and Sponsorship Inquiries

You and your brand are invited to CodeLaunch. There is still time for your brand to align with CodeLaunch and Conscious Capitalism. Parties interested in exhibit space, media, and sponsorship may contact Jason W. Taylor.

CodeLaunch, produced by Improving and presented by Cyrannus, is making its way back to Houston for the second time on March 2^nd after a spectacular debut last Spring, and the application portal is open NOW until December 16^th at Midnight! 

CodeLaunch helps early-stage startups succeed using our unique spin on the seed accelerator model. It’s a combination of a seed accelerator competition, a tech tradeshow, a startup conference, and a rousing networking event. The touring competition has given more than $1.4M in services to its finalists and overall winners since it started a decade ago.  

“CodeLaunch is a startup and rock-n-roll show like nothing you’ve ever seen before!” – CodeLaunch President and Founder Jason W. Taylor 

CodeLaunch has helped launch noteworthy startups since its inception in North Texas in 2013. Companies like CharaChorder, ProsRent, StyleRow, KidStrong, Autix, and more were launched and accelerated through the competition.

“CodeLaunch created an energetic environment in Houston! In 2023 it will be twice as big! I believe CodeLaunch is a catalyst for growth in Houston.” – Joey Sanchez, Cup of Joey Founder and The Ion Houston Senior Director of Ecosystems

CodeLaunch HOU 2023 will be held at 713 Music Hall. The six professional hackathon teams will be provided by these leading Houston software consulting brands: Improving, Softeq, Honeycomb Software, BJSS, Contollo, and Blue People. 

SoftEQ is back for its second year after working with Codiac last March.

CodeLaunch HOU 2022 Success Stories 

Startup RESQ TRX won CodeLaunch HOU 2022 last March. TRX is a platform dedicated to trucking logistics recovery launched its product and is now raising $5M through crowdfunding.

After Clutch won Judges’ Choice, it closed a pre-seed round worth 1.2M with partners from San Francisco-based Precursor Ventures, as well as investments from Capital Factory and HearstLab.

Another finalist founder, Ben Ghazi, says CodeLaunch was extremely powerful for his startup, Codiac. 

“Codelaunch was great. We gained customers, investors, and a lot of local notoriety. It was the best event we had all last year!” – Ben Ghazi, Codiac Founder

Cyrannus 150K Investment Challenge

 All startup founders who advance to the semifinal round of CodeLaunch will be in the running for the Cyrannus $100K investment challenge, as well as the $50K challenge for Impact Startups!

Cyrannus Founder Lee Mosbacker wants to reward CodeLaunch participants with the opportunity to get real cash into their business. A Cyrannus spokesperson says there could be two separate winners, but if one winner scored the highest for both challenges, they can receive $150K in investments in total.  

“Not only will they get the cash, but also be introduced to a network that will help them refine their idea and get ready for their first big fundraiser.” – Lee Mosbacker, Cyrannus Founder 

You can learn more about the 150K challenge here.

Catch us at the Houston Tech Rodeo 

CodeLaunch will continue to partner with Houston Tech Rodeo after a wonderful relationship last year. Houston Tech Rodeo is a series of events organized by Houston Exponential. 

The Rodeo corrals the greatest minds in the global and local tech community. This helps the mission of Houston Exponential, which is to develop a collection of resources in order to connect Houston Stakeholders with the global tech and innovation community to further the city’s economic growth. 

“Houston Exponential could not be more excited about our partnership with CodeLaunch Houston. They are a fantastic ally in Houston’s efforts to serve its growing startup community and CodeLaunch is an incredible fit for the capstone of the 2022 Tech Rodeo. Finishing off Tech Rodeo with CodeLaunch’s exciting atmosphere will be a highly anticipated event for the Houston innovation ecosystem after an engaging week of programming.” – Houston Exponential CEO Natara Branch

Houston Tech Rodeo 2023 will feature CodeLaunch on March 2^nd as part of our partnership.

Important Applicant Information

CodeLaunch is a free amenity for startups. It costs nothing to apply, and it does not take equity. All you need is a pitch deck, code-ready mockups, and passion. It’s important to note that CodeLaunch competitions are open to founders from any geography or market, not just the host market. 

If you are selected as a finalist, your mockups should be what you hope to build in your 2-day professional hackathon. This is one way that our competition stands out from the crowd. Each finalist is drafted by a professional development team that accelerates product development and builds out as much of the MVP as possible. During the pitch competition and showcase event on March 2nd, each startup product is demonstrated live for the first time in front of an audience, who then interactively votes to determine winners.

“In the year after the first Houston CodeLaunch, we have seen explosive growth in the community and investment. This year we are coming back with bigger plans, more community partners, and a lot of momentum. The impact of this event will be significantly bigger than last year, and I am excited to see the next steps in the journey of Houston becoming THE top innovation and startup city in the country.” – Devlin Liles, Improving CCO and Houston President

Ready to apply? Go to our application portal now through December 16th at midnight! You can also learn more about CodeLaunch HOU 2023 here. 

Brands who want to support and align with our Conscious Capitalism-inspired mission at CodeLaunch can find out more by emailing jason@codelaunch.com.

CodeLaunch is going on tour!

CodeLaunch DFW 2022, produced by Improving and presented by Cyrannus and Confluent, was the most attended CodeLaunch DFW event in history! As the 10th consecutive annual competition in the Metroplex, the competition definitely made a mark on the DFW community.

CodeLaunch DFW 2022 Winner

Congratulations to Damn That’s Cheap for winning CodeLaunch DFW! Damn That’s Cheap worked with their hackathon sponsor Contollo throughout the week to claim the title of “Best Startup in Dallas”!

“CodeLaunch was a blast and it was super exciting to win! We’ve worked on this for years, but until you’re in front of an audience like that, it’s hard to know if the mass public would get it. Getting feedback and winning validates that our product will be successful.” – Damn That’s Cheap Founder Jeremy Cate

Concession Team went home a winner too. After applying to CodeLaunch five times, the startup received the Judges’ Choice award during the event.

“CodeLaunch has been a springboard to our early success. We’re forever grateful for the community CodeLaunch has built. It was another way for us to see how much we believe in ourselves and the confirmation from professionals that we’re on the right path.” – Concession Team Founder Kaymon Farmer

Our judges were Cyrannus Founder Lee Mosbacker, Director at Cyndx Drew Donahoe, Head of Dell for Startups Lucas Chaya del Pino, and Geniant Chairman & co-CEO David Lancashire.

“CodeLaunch was the most entertaining startup event I have ever been involved with. There isn’t another pitch competition out there where the judges, contestants, hosts, and audience all have an absolute blast!” – Judge Drew Donahoe

Audience members enjoyed being entertained by comedian Josh Stramiello before the competition began as the show opener. This was Josh’s second time opening for CodeLaunch.

This was the first time that CodeLaunch was held at Gilley’s Dallas and over 600 people were in attendance!

Shoutout to all of our finalists who will now go on to launch viable startup companies!

A major thank you to our presenting sponsors, Cyrannus and Confluent, for their support during this CodeLaunch DFW 2022. The show would not have been such a spectacular success without you!

Also, thank you to our Hackathon Sponsors who worked tirelessly with our finalists to ensure their technical products were accelerated and that they can close a seed round of funding.

View the gallery from CodeLaunch DFW 2022 here

All About CodeLaunch

CodeLaunch is a traveling seed accelerator and startup expo that connects early-stage startups with invaluable seed services critical to stimulating their business. Unlike many startup accelerators, CodeLaunch is completely free to apply, and there is no equity surrendered.

The professional hackathon is one way that CodeLaunch is truly unique. Each finalist is paired with a professional development team that accelerates product development and builds out as much of their MVP as possible in a 2-day time frame. During the pitch competition, the product is demoed live and for the first time in front of a live audience, who then votes for the overall winner.

CodeLaunch DFW 2022 went above and beyond our expectations! We are thankful for everyone who came out to support the event and the DFW startup community.

CodeLaunch HOU 2023 is Around the Corner

CodeLaunch heads back to Houston, TX in March 2023 for our second event there. We will be in Houston on March 2nd and applications are now open! Click this link to learn more and apply here if you are a founder who wants to change the trajectory of your startup.

After an appearance by Conscious Capitalism representative Daniella Mairs during CodeLaunch DFW, Jason revealed the 2023 CodeLaunch Tour destination markets! watch that video below to see where we are going next year!

CodeLaunch is going on tour!

Get your tickets here!

CodeLaunch, produced by Improving, and presented by Cyrannus and Confluent is making its way back to the DFW area for its 10th consecutive annual competition in the Metroplex, helping early-stage startups succeed using our unique spin on the seed accelerator model.

As the longest-running annual startup event in the DFW, CodeLaunch supports the startup ecosystem by awarding deserving startups with the invaluable services they need to launch. We have given over $1.3M in services to Finalists and Overall Winners since 2013 and have launched notable startups such as CharaChorder, ProsRent, StyleRow, KidStrong, Autix, and more.

This year, the final event will take place in the City of Dallas for the first time! It will be held at Southside Music Hall at Gilley’s.

CodeLaunch DFW 2022 presented by Cyrannus and Confluent Finalists Announced!

Congratulations to our finalists who will compete in our main event on November 16th! Each of these incredible startups will receive a professional product development hackathon from one of our professional hackathon team sponsors before competing in our big show.

Professional Hackathon Team Sponsors:

• Contollo + DAMN THAT’S CHEAP
• Dialexa + BeONE Sports
• Frogslayer + Concession Team
• Improving + Echelon
• Leverture + WeddingSeat
• Virtuous + ChangeFinder

CodeLaunch could not happen without these outstanding hackathon sponsors. Each company puts together a team and works absolutely free of charge during our hackathon. They work tirelessly with our finalists to ensure their technical products are accelerated and that they can close a seed round of funding. While only one startup will win, every finalist will walk out with valuable investments already made to their startup because of the time their hackathon team spent working on their product. 

“Honestly this is a part of our culture, so it’s a perfect alignment,” said Kristen Darby, Dialexa’s VP of Marketing. “It’s a beautiful shared community conversation that happens within these special professional hackathons. It is incredibly competitive, but it’s also cooperative.” 

FirstGen Agency Founder Raheel Malik is our emcee, assisting with curation and production. This is his sixth CodeLaunch event.

Presenting Sponsors: Cyrannus & Confluent

We are extremely thankful for our presenting sponsors, Cyrannus and Confluent! 

Cyrannus is a network of experts trying to add rational insight into a growing venture capital market. They are developing tools to connect founders with experts and create bullet-proof strategies. Founders can confidentially submit areas of their business plan, pitch deck, technology, or product. Experts can anonymously interact with founders in an iterative process to generate answers to questions and get quantitative scoring. The Cyrannus website also includes a blog that works to help investors and venture capitalists learn about and avoid fraud and deception. 

Learn more about Cyrannus in our featured blog, then go to the Cyrannus website to read their latest articles.

Confluent was founded by the original creators of Apache Kafka®️ and is pioneering a new category of data infrastructure focused on data in motion. With Confluent’s cloud-native offering, any organization can easily build and scale next-generation apps needed to run their business in real time.

Confluent is designed to be the intelligent connective tissue enabling real-time data, from multiple sources, to constantly stream across the organization. With Confluent, organizations can meet the new business imperative of delivering rich, digital front-end customer experiences and transitioning to sophisticated, real-time, software-driven back-end operations.

Find out more about Confluent by heading over to their website.

First-Time Sponsor: Dell for Startups

We are excited to announce that Dell for Startups is sponsoring CodeLaunch for the first time! Dell’s program, Dell for Startups, was created to guide startups in their technology journey. The program provides expertise from Dell advisors, giving founders scalable solutions to grow their startups. 

During CodeLaunch, you will hear from Dell for Startups Lead Lucas Chaya del Pino, who is delighted to experience CodeLaunch for the first time. 

“We are constantly incorporating new partners that get us in front of entrepreneurs and create relationships,” Lucas said. “CodeLaunch is exactly the type of partner we want, and I am very excited to participate in the event.” 

Dell also has a yearlong pitch competition that is going on right now! Learn more about it here. 

What is CodeLaunch?

Produced by Improving, CodeLaunch is a combination of a seed accelerator competition, tech tradeshow, startup conference, and raucous networking event! In short, CodeLaunch is impactful venture-tainment.

“CodeLaunch is a startup and rock-n-roll show like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” CodeLaunch President and Founder Jason W. Taylor said.

CodeLaunch sponsors and partners put thousands of dollars in professional seed services behind the winners of its national seed accelerator competition. 

CodeLaunch was founded in 2013. Jason wanted to help startups who were investible but their technology held up closing funding deals. With Code Authority’s (now a part of Improving) resources, he made it happen. 

What makes CodeLaunch truly unique is the professional hackathon. Local “dev shops” come together and compete with each other to build out as much of each finalist’s MVP as possible. The Finalists then demo these products live and for the first time in front of the CodeLaunch audience, who then vote for a winner. 

CodeLaunch is aligned with the ideals of Conscious Capitalism, believing that businesses can be socially responsible and, ultimately, ethically good. One of the ways we exemplify this philosophy is by making the competition free to apply with no equity surrendered by the applicants. This means startups have nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying. In addition, CodeLaunch gives away surplus exhibitor space to local startups for free, allowing them to network with angels and investors. 

Exciting and Interactive New Format

At this event, CodeLaunch will be rolling out an exciting and new interactive format inspired by our new Community Partner Digital Fight Club. Audience members and judges will interactively vote for multiple rounds culminating an exciting new experience depicted by this graphic below.

Join Us at CodeLaunch DFW 2022!

CodeLaunch will take place at Southside Music Hall at Gilley’s on November 16th. Get your tickets here!

Media, Exhibit, and Sponsorship Inquiries

You and your brand are invited to CodeLaunch. There is still time for your brand to align with CodeLaunch and Conscious Capitalism. Parties interested in exhibit space, media, and sponsorship may contact Jason W. Taylor.

Don’t Miss CodeLaunch DFW 2022 on Nov 16 in Dallas, TX

There’s another spoke on the CodeLaunch wheel, and it will make a meaningful impact on the startup community! 

The CodeLaunch Fuel Fund is an investment opportunity that will help further accelerate high-performing CodeLaunch finalists. This quarter, the CodeLaunch Fuel Fund invested in CodeLaunch DFW 2019 finalist Charachorder and CodeLaunch DFW 2021 winner AUTIX™. 

CodeLaunch Founder Jason W. Taylor is the Managing Director of the CodeLaunch Fuel Fund. He works alongside Improving CEO Curtis Hite to decide which startups the company wants to invest in. They plan to evaluate startups from the CodeLaunch community once each quarter.

“Having started CodeLaunch with a dream of impacting startups a decade ago here in DFW and to see it now travel throughout the US and world, being the managing director of a real early-stage venture fund is a dream come true,” Jason said. 

Charachorder Founder Riley Keen said his CodeLaunch experience was a huge milestone for the company. They started with only a prototype and idea, and now only three years later their biggest issue is meeting customer demand.  

“This fund will help us finance the inventory so we can make products faster and get them into the hands of customers,” he said. “There are a lot of amazing startups that go through the competition, so it’s a huge honor to be chosen for one of the first Fuel Fund investments.” 

Riley said he is excited that they now have this official partnership with CodeLaunch since it accelerated Charachorder so intensely. 

“CodeLaunch was a huge milestone for our company,” he said. “It helped us get attention, credibility, and presence that allowed us to launch multiple products and get us exposure to get more investments. We also got to meet with other entrepreneurs and network.” 

AUTIX Founder & CEO, Jake Hamann has also seen a lot of success since he graced the CodeLaunch stage. Jake said the investment will assist in bringing awareness to AUTIX as the team travels to the SEMA tradeshow in early November as a Top 15 semifinalist for their Launch Pad pitch competition. This event is the largest in the world for automotive manufacturers and distributors, which is a major audience they want to attract. 

“Our CodeLaunch victory last November has helped us make significant traction not just in the DFW area, but nationally,” said Hamann. “We love to promote the entire CodeLaunch experience everywhere we go, so the decision to take this investment made a lot of sense and we’re extremely grateful to be one of the initial recipients.” 

The goal of the CodeLaunch Fuel Fund is to see a positive return on investments, then use that money to increase the size of the fund.  

“We have a growing stable of rockstar finalists,” Jason said. “And Improving is helping CodeLaunch have a bigger impact.”

The next CodeLaunch competition will be in Dallas on November 16^th. Learn more here. 

Watch the CodeLaunch Ohio 2022 Hackathon Teams video

Learn about each final startup before the final competition on August 25th!

ServUS – Columbus, OH 

Tell us about ServUS: 

Our mission at ServUS is to empower the world’s service-minded students to solve the world’s biggest problems. We are creating a website that matches people to local non-profits based on their interests. 

Why is this idea important to you? 

I hope that our platform will make it easier for nonprofits to carry out their day-to-day activities. I am personally looking forward to a world where students lead the way towards a sustainable 2050. 

Is there anything else you want readers to know? 

Our platform is currently enrolling nonprofits into our first cohort. If there is an organization out there that needs more volunteers or is interested in our mission, please reach out to the ServUS team at Servus.cbus@gmail.com. 

ParaWave – Columbus, OH 

Tell us about ParaWave: 

Our mission is to equip public safety with drone technology to gather and communicate critical information from the air. 

During emergencies, it is critical for first responders to view the live video feed from Parwave’s drones. We needed to develop a platform to stream video feed in an efficient manner that first responders could quickly and easily interact with. Once we heard about CodeLaunch, we applied and are excited to have been selected as finalists. We are thrilled to work with Centric Consulting to bring this app to fruition. 

Why is this idea important to you? 

We value protecting our community members and supporting our first responders’ safety.  

Is there anything else you want readers to know? 

We are passionate about drones, and we wanted to develop drone technology that was meaningful to the community. Both of us are upcoming senior undergraduate aerospace engineering students at Ohio State graduating in May 2023. 

Metatopia Network – Cleveland, OH

Tell us about Metatopia Network: 
Metatopia is decentralized cloud computing for Web3 applications. Cloud3 for Web3. We provide users with the tools they need to build decentralized applications, metaverses, and NFT projects. 

Why is this idea important to you?  

After college, I tried to start a career in animation and game development. As a freelancer, I was always limited to a less-than-capable device that I could afford. Now I’m providing solutions that help people like myself, excel no matter what device you are about to afford. All of the resource-intensive features are executed in the cloud. 

Is there anything else you want readers to know?  

I like to call myself the “Creative Engineer”. I am a musician, film director, and visual artist. But I am a software engineer that teaches computer science and physics. 

Mastery Portfolio – Columbus, OH 

Tell us about Mastery Portfolio: 

If I asked you to describe an “A” student, you probably could, but if I asked five different people to describe the characteristics of a B student, I would get five different responses. Why? Because traditional grading is broken- it’s a points and averages game and doesn’t motivate students to achieve. Mastery Portfolio helps schools and districts redesign how they do grading and assessment to increase equity and celebrate actual progress on skills with clear data visualizations and a thoughtful roadmap to implementation that keeps all community members in mind.  

Why is this idea important to you? 

In education, the bottom line is student achievement. We must be able to accurately measure that at the classroom level, teaching students to assess themselves, set goals, and reflect. Once we do, we can roll that information all the way up so school systems can make strategic decisions to increase student achievement across the district.  

Is there anything else you want readers to know? 

We are actively adding new schools to our portfolio. Contact us today for support with your assessment and skills-tracking needs. MasteryPortfolio.com 

AlignAI – Columbus, Ohio

Tell us about AlignAI: 

AlignAI is an ed-tech company built by AI professionals for AI professionals. Our mission is to help data & AI practitioners go from learning to doing faster. We focus on process-based, hands-on training to help organizations design, build, deploy, and manage AI more effectively. We have seen our customers increase the impact and adoption of AI solutions they are building after cross-skilling their employees through AlignAI. 

Why is this idea important to you? 

The global talent gap is real. People aren’t learning critical concepts around AI fast enough to fill the openings. As practitioners, we saw this gap consistently across industries. Companies were attempting to unlock AI capabilities in order to compete but did not have the in-house talent or pipeline of individuals who could get them there. 

The AI educational content today is falling short for the working professional focused on what we refer to as ‘operationalizing AI’ – building and maintaining AI models at scale within a company.  Universities are not keeping up with relevant practices, and general content massively available today does not drive direct application within organizations. This one is personal for us, as we’ve all sat through hours of slides, videos, and generic examples only to step back and ask “What did I just learn?” and more importantly, “How do I take this information and use it in my day-to-day?”   

Is there anything else you want readers to know? 

Curiosity is at the core of our culture. We are all working to solve hard problems every day by running experiments and seeing what works. We are hyper-focused on providing a hands-on AI learning experience, with a curriculum designed around direct application.  

We accomplish this by: 

• Partnering with vetted experts across the globe to constantly update our curriculum and match what real teams are doing today. The industry knowledge & best practices are ever-evolving, and our learning content should too.
• Developing the simulations and exercises first. With every course, we start with the end goal of direct application in our customer’s environment. We then build in only the content that is needed. 
• Constantly testing our curriculum to make sure it’s effective and interesting with our active network of partner companies. If they don’t think it’s valuable, we don’t publish it.  

CodeLaunch Ohio 2022 presented by Cyrannus is making its way to Columbus for the very first time, helping early-stage startups succeed using our unique spin on the seed accelerator model. Aligned with the ideals of conscious capitalism, CodeLaunch supports the startup ecosystem by awarding deserving startups with the invaluable services they need to launch. We have given over $1.2M in services to Finalists and Overall Winners since 2013 and have launched notable startups such as CharaChorder, ProsRent, StyleRow, KidStrong, and more.

CodeLaunch Ohio 2022 presented by Cyrannus Finalists Announced

Congratulations to our finalists, who will compete in our main event on August 25th at the Davidson Theatre at the Riffe Center in Columbus.

For the first time, we have an all-local finalist group! Each of these incredible startups will receive a professional product development hackathon from one of our professional hackathon team sponsors before competing in our big show on August 25th.

Professional Hackathon Team Sponsors:

• Centric Consulting + ParaWave
• Enzee + masteryportfolio
• Improving Ohio + AlignAI
• QStartLabs + servUS
• Tech Elevator + Metatopia Network

CodeLaunch could not happen without these outstanding hackathon sponsors. Each company puts together a team and works absolutely free of charge during our hackathon. They work tirelessly with our finalists to ensure their technical products are accelerated and that they can close a seed round of funding. While only one startup will win, every finalist will walk out with valuable investments already made to their startup because of the time their hackathon team spent working on their product. 

Ohio-Based company QStartLabs will provide a hackathon team for CodeLaunch Ohio 2022. Chief Technology Officer Jeff Lamb says they are thrilled to get started with the competition.

“Most of the time they’re working right next to each other, but working on separate projects,” Jeff said. “So, a chance to really work together on the same project is really exciting. This will be high pressure and a lot of fun. CodeLaunch is going to be great for the local startup community and will continue to make Columbus a hotspot for startups.”

FirstGen Agency Founder Raheel Malik is our emcee, assisting with curation and production. This is his fifth CodeLaunch event.

Presenting Sponsor: Cyrannus

We are extremely thankful for our presenting sponsor, Cyrannus! Cyrannus is digging into the deception that unfortunately takes place in the startup and tech worlds. The newly launched blog is working to help investors and venture capitalists learn about and avoid fraud and deception. 

“Cyrannus is a technical due diligence blog for investors and venture capitalists to assess high-tech feasibility in their investments and technologies,” Founder Lee Mosbacker said. 

Lee will also be a judge for CodeLaunch Ohio 2022 presented by Cyrannus. Learn more about Cyrannus in our featured blog, then go to the Cyrannus website to read their latest articles.

What is CodeLaunch?

Produced by Improving, CodeLaunch is a combination of a seed accelerator competition, tech tradeshow, startup conference, and raucous networking event!

“CodeLaunch is a startup and rock-n-roll show like nothing you’ve ever seen before,” CodeLaunch President and Founder Jason W. Taylor said.

CodeLaunch sponsors and partners put thousands of dollars in professional seed services behind the winners of its national seed accelerator competition. 

CodeLaunch was founded in 2013. Jason wanted to help startups who were investible but their technology held up closing funding deals. With Code Authority’s (now a part of Improving) resources, he made it happen. 

What makes CodeLaunch truly unique is the professional hackathon. Local “dev shops” come together to build out as much of each finalists’ MVP as possible. The Finalists then demo these products live and for the first time in front of the CodeLaunch audience, who then vote for a winner. 

CodeLaunch is aligned with the ideals of conscious capitalism, believing that business can be socially responsible and, ultimately, ethically good. One of the ways we exemplify this philosophy is by making the competition free to apply with no equity surrendered by the applicants. This means startups have nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying. In addition, CodeLaunch gives away surplus exhibitor space to local startups for free, allowing them to network with angels and investors. 

Join Us at CodeLaunch Ohio 2022 presented by Cyrannus! 

CodeLaunch will take place at the Davidson Theatre at the Riffe Center in Columbus on August 25th, 2022. Get your tickets here!

Media, Exhibit, and Sponsorship Inquiries

You and your brand are invited to CodeLaunch. There is still time for your brand to align with CodeLaunch and Conscious Capitalism. Parties interested in Exhibit space, Media, and Sponsorship may contact Jason W. Taylor. 

We wish we didn’t have to get all specific about rules, but in pursuit of transparency and fairness to everyone, we needed some rules for the competitors! So here they are:

The Rules of the CodeLaunch Startup Competition

1.      A startup founder or group of founders and cofounders, and/or teammates who collectively represent a startup, who apply to a CodeLaunch event, will collectively be referred to as a “Competitor”, for the purposes of these rules.

2.      You must treat all hackathon team members, competitors, judges, coaches, volunteers, and other people affiliated with or attending CodeLaunch, with respect and courtesy at all times.

3.      All content of a CodeLaunch application must be factual.

4.      Competitor teams must follow CodeLaunch social media and stay up to date on current deadlines and dates relevant to each event, which can and often do change during an event cycle.

5.      Applications that do not include a PDF or PowerPoint deck file, and/or do not include an additional set of Mock-Ups or Wireframes attached, may be disqualified.

6.      CodeLaunch is best suited for startups that need progress on their technical product to accelerate. If your startup already has a product, that has organic customers actively using it, and you are generating at least $20,000 per month in revenue, then you are too far along to compete fairly in the spirit of CodeLaunch. If you are too far along but still could use some PR and support, we would be happy to offer you a complimentary exhibit space while such space lasts, at any one event. If you are “pivoting” your product and/or execution strategy, we may still consider your participation to be fair and allow you to compete but the discretion to allow that or not is ours alone.

7.      Although CodeLaunch costs nothing to apply and CodeLaunch does not require founders to give up equity, we do require you to travel to our event if you become a finalist, at your own cost for travel. Even if you are an international applicant. Please do not apply if you already know this is an impossibility.

8.      Competitors may not submit more than 3 unique concepts per event.

9.      Competitors may apply to consecutive events or re-apply to future events if they did not advance as a finalist in any one event. However, once a Competitor has become a finalist, that Competitor is no longer eligible to apply to future CodeLaunch events on behalf of the same startup brand or concept.

10. Professional hackathon teams are limited to 4 people with hands-in-code at a time during the two-day hackathon session. However, Competitors may embed their own technical team members into their assigned hackathon team, in the event they become a finalist.

11. A Competitor that becomes a semi-finalist or finalist will be expected to promote the event and make a good faith effort to share out discount codes to help elevate attendance and community engagement.

12. CodeLaunch pitches are always 5 minutes. Rehearse your pitch and know it lasts only 4 minutes. Small overruns are okay, but 5+ minutes is not okay.

13. Judges may be asked to give out a ‘judges choice’ award at any one event, but they do not determine the “Champion”. All of the attendees present may vote exactly once, which determines the “Champion” alone. CodeLaunch event production has no role in determining the winner.

14. CodeLaunch production staff will determine the run of show and order of pitches. We will never put the driest of pitch delivery teams first or last. If you want to be first or last you should endeavor to have some entertaining quality to your pitch delivery.

15. Details about the steps in the curation process can be found here.

16. Additional answers to commonly asked questions can be found here.

Remember!

CodeLaunch is guided by the pillars of Conscious Capitalism. We endeavor to uplift all startups, big and small, new and mature, first-time entrepreneurs and serial, and all people from all walks of life, and from both places near and far away, because we believe entrepreneurism is good for the human spirit and uplifting for communities. We hope you enjoy the experience and get a lot out of it no matter how far along the process you advance. Thank you for your support!

Automotive app startup AUTIX secured the win of the 10^th CodeLaunch competition in November, and they have been thriving ever since. 

Founder and CEO Jake Hamann tells us he believes CodeLaunch gave them at least a six-month acceleration from where they started last fall. The team has completed their MVP+ of the AUTIX platform with their Hackathon partner Leverture and is now working to morph it into a polished Alpha app+platform that will accommodate paying AUTIX customers early this year.

AUTIX has been selected as a TOP 100 Finalist for Startup of the Year and will head to Tampa, FL to compete for the top spot at the end of January. The startup was hand-picked to compete out of 750 applicants! 

Hamann received a major grant from the McKinney, TX Economic Development Corporation Innovation Fund. They also hired three new team members, including a technology adviser and a full-time paid marketing specialist. 

When AUTIX became a finalist for CodeLaunch, they did not have anything from a development perspective, according to Hamann. So, he created the user interface design and hired someone to build the database in the back end. During the Hackathon, Leverture basically put both of those things together so they worked in an actual URL through the web. 

“It was just a mockup, but CodeLaunch really brought it to life and actually made it work,” said Hamann.

Though it is not accessible to the public quite yet, technically AUTIX is usable right now. This means they have an actual product to show investors, which is extremely rare for startups on the same level. With this advantage, they are now asking investors for $2.5 – $5 million. 

What will this money be used for?  

“These seed funds will be used to activate our Go-To-Market scale by onboarding our most important asset, our team, as well as strategically bolster our technology stack, operational, marketing/content, and promotional efforts. Utilizing seed funding for scale in this manner in early 2022 enables us to amplify our user and revenue milestones over the next 18-24 months.”

– AUTIX Welcome Letter 

Because of CodeLaunch, AUTIX completed a team agreement with ParkUpFront, which is the leading car show and event platform startup that won CodeLaunch in 2016. AUTIX secured meetings with many potential seed investors in these past few months, and they hope to continue this momentum throughout 2022. 

Hamann and AUTIX will be on stage taking Q&A as one of our CodeLaunch Crushed It Panelists at our next event which is CodeLaunch Houston on March 30. Startup founders can apply at CodeLaunch.com through midnight Jan 22 to compete for a chance to be accelerated like AUTIX has.

WATCH: DFW 2021 Highlights: AUTIX and Leverture win CodeLaunch

CodeLaunch is celebrating its 10^th event helping early-stage tech startups with its unique spin on the seed accelerator model. Aligned with the ideals of conscious capitalism, CodeLaunch supports the startup ecosystem by awarding deserving startups with the invaluable services they need to launch. Since its inception, CodeLaunch has given over $900,000 in services to Finalists and the Overall Winners since 2013.

CodeLaunch DFW 2021 Finalists Announced:

Congratulations to our CodeLaunch DFW 2021 finalists, who will compete in our main event on November 17th!

US Commercial Finalists

Autix Automotive, Jake Hamann, McKinney, TX

Ducie Club, Ron Williams, Lynden, WA

Phix Health, Mark Schultz, Dallas, TX

Vulcan Grills, Fred Leavitt, San Diego, CA

Student Founder Finalist

Chat Plays, Matias Barcelo, Rockwall, TX

Each of these incredible startups will receive a professional product development hackathon from one of our seed sponsors. They will work together for 24 hours prior to our final event to prepare their product for the competition. 

Dallas-based technology company Dialexa will provide a hackathon team for CodeLaunch. 

“Honestly this is a part of our culture. So, it’s a perfect alignment. It’s a beautiful shared community conversation that happens in these Hackathons. It is incredibly competitive, but it’s also cooperative.”

– Kristen Darby, VP of Marketing for Dialexa

Only one startup will win, but every finalist will walk out with valuable investments already made to their startup because of the time their Hackathon sponsor’s team spent working on their product.

“A lot of times when you are a startup, especially at this stage, it’s really difficult,” Barcelo said. “Especially when you’re a student and don’t have a job yet. So, events like CodeLaunch are perfect for people like me.”

– Matias Barcelo, Founder of Chat Plays

As a full-time student in college, Matias Barcelo landed in the finals as the best of the Student Founder category after the 8-week CodeLaunch curation process and being selected by the Allata hackathon team.

What is CodeLaunch?

Produced by Improving, CodeLaunch is a combination of a seed accelerator competition, tech tradeshow, startup conference, and raucous networking event! CodeLaunch sponsors and partners put thousands of dollars in professional seed services behind the winners of its national seed accelerator competition.

CodeLaunch was founded in 2013. Jason W. Taylor, CodeLaunch Founder and President, wanted to help startups who were investible but for their technology holding up closing funding deals. With Code Authority’s (now Improving Frisco) resources, he made it happen.

CodeLaunch has evolved into a traveling seed accelerator and startup expo. The first CodeLaunch event held outside of DFW was CodeLaunch ATL 2021, which took place on August 18^th, 2021. Based on the turnout and community interest in Atlanta, the forthcoming CodeLaunch North American World Tour is going to blow the doors off the national startup ecosystem.

What makes CodeLaunch truly unique is the professional hackathon. Local “dev shops” come together to build out as much of each Finalists’ MVP as possible. The Finalists then demo these products live and for the first time in front of the CodeLaunch audience, who then vote for a winner. CodeLaunch DFW 2021 hackathon teams are provided by Dialexa, Leverture, Allata, Improving Dallas, and Code Authority.

CodeLaunch is aligned with the ideals of conscious capitalism, believing that business can be socially responsible and, ultimately, ethically good. One of the ways CodeLaunch exemplifies this philosophy is by making the competition free to apply with no equity surrendered by the applicants. This means startups have nothing to lose and everything to gain by applying. In addition, CodeLaunch gives away surplus exhibitor space to local startups for free, allowing them to network with angels and investors.

Join Us at CodeLaunch DFW 2021!

CodeLaunch is coming home and will take place at the Comerica Center in Frisco, TX on November 17^th, 2021. Reserve your spot today!

Media Inquiries:

If you would like to cover the event or learn more about what we do, please email Shelby.Sansone@Improving.com.

Early-stage startup founders are looking for any resource they can to raise funding and launch. There are many programs and services out there so it can be difficult knowing which to choose and where to start. A great option for startups is seed accelerators. This blog will give you more information on seed accelerator as well as highlight how CodeLaunch compares to other programs.

What is a Seed Accelerator?

A seed accelerator, or startup accelerator, is a short-term program that provides mentorship and funding opportunities to help a startup grow. There are many benefits to taking part in a seed accelerator as a budding startup.

Some benefits include:

• Lots of Short-Term Learning – Seed accelerators only last a couple of months, but in that time, you learn so much. Seed accelerators are intense and educational, and they allow you to condense months, or even years, of growth into a short period of time. You will learn anything from proper pitching and business planning to social media tactics and marketing strategies.
• Connect with Mentors – Seed accelerators align themselves with larger, well-established companies and allot mentors to help the involved startups. You will engage directly with professionals with different backgrounds to give you advice and shape you to succeed.
• Get Funding – Startup accelerators usually provide funding or help you find funding during the course of the program. This allows you to focus on learning and growing your startup.
• Networking – Along with connecting with mentors, you will be introduced to other startups and founders selected by the startup accelerator. You will get to know a broad network of entrepreneurs and investors!

The Top Startup Accelerators

CodeLaunch isn’t the only seed accelerator out there. Here are three of the top startup accelerators (aside from CodeLaunch).

Founded in 2005, Y Combinator is one of the most well-known startup accelerators around the world. They have funded more than 2,000 startups with a total of over $100 billion. They have kickstarted startups that are now household names, such as Dropbox, Twitch, and Airbnb.  

Techstars was founded in 2006 and remains one of the largest seed accelerator programs, spanning across 15 countries. They have launched over 1,500 startups. Additionally, Techstars helps founders by giving them access to their global network of founders, mentors, and investors.

StartupBootcamp has funded over 400 startups since it was founded in 2010. It is a three-month program that is offered in different cities across the globe. They aim to help early-stage startups grow by using their vast network of founders, partners, and investors.

How CodeLaunch Compares to Other Seed Accelerators

CodeLaunch is a unique spin on the software seed accelerator concept. It is about giving deserving startups the tools they need to get off the ground. Since its inception, CodeLaunch has given over $900,000 in exclusive seed services to CodeLaunch Finalists.

Unlike other startup accelerators, CodeLaunch is completely free to apply and takes zero equity from startups. Another thing that sets CodeLaunch apart from the rest is the professional hackathon team that accelerates the Finalists’ product development. CodeLaunch can eliminate the need for startups to apply for other seed accelerators by attracting the funding they need to launch.

Instead of just giving startups a cash prize, CodeLaunch provides startups with tangible services they need to launch as well the resulting product from the professional hackathon. Participating startups can then network and connect with investors, VCs, and Angels in the networking afterparty. Startups get everything they need to succeed from CodeLaunch without spending any money to apply. Now that’s innovation.

CodeLaunch has many success stories. Keri Kilty, co-founder Authentify Art, CodeLaunch 8 Overall Winner, said, “CodeLaunch was a turning point for our team. The experience of competing accelerated our journey and pushed us into raising $200,000 over our original fundraising goal.”

Kilty continued, “CodeLaunch gives startups what they really need—a push. CodeLaunch gave us that push and we dove into our technology development headfirst. We ran at our goals and stopped worrying about being perfect or failing. CodeLaunch was the spark we needed to accept success and opportunities that were waiting for us. Now we are celebrating new client acquisitions, working with internationally renowned artists and global technology companies that are household names. We would have missed these wins had CodeLaunch not lit the fire our team needed.”

Apply for CodeLaunch DFW 2021!

Applications for CodeLaunch DFW 2021 are now open. Be sure to apply now before they close on September 15, 2021!

Startups, this is for you! The CodeLaunch DFW 2021 application window is now open! If you are a pre-MVP startup and on the fence about applying, here are 5 reasons you should submit your application to CodeLaunch DFW 2021.

#1 Free to Apply

There is no fee and no equity surrendered for a startup to advance and compete in the CodeLaunch finals. All applications are protected under a mutually exclusive NDA.

We do require some proof of execution, such as having your UI/UX mockups prepared. CodeLaunch is looking for founders who have proven their execution chops by putting together a polished pitch deck and have sourced some quality UI/UX mockups for your product.

#2 Professional Hackathon

The professional hackathon is what sets CodeLaunch apartment from other seed accelerator competitions. The professional hackathon is an all-out, coffee and energy drink-filled coding marathon where professional software and application development teams are paired with CodeLaunch Finalists to build out as much of their product as they can. That product is then demoed live and for the first time in front of the CodeLaunch audience, who then vote for their Overall Winner.

#3 Exclusive Seed Services

Since its inception, CodeLaunch has given over $800,000 in exclusive seed services to CodeLaunch finalists. These invaluable services range from marketing services to law services and everything in between. CodeLaunch provides everything you need to get your startup off the ground.

These seed services are provided to CodeLaunch Finalists via our sponsors. Without them CodeLaunch would not be possible.

#4 Pitch to VCs and Angels

Each CodeLaunch Finalists gets to pitch live in front of an audience! In only 5 minutes, competing Finalists go over their background, goals, and how their concept or product works. They will demo the product created through the hackathon for the first time! This is a rare experience to explain what makes your product unique and marketable.

CodeLaunch is where startups, angels, investors, and VCs collide. VCs will be in the audience watching the pitch competition! CodeLaunch is the perfect place to interact with VCs—even you do not win.

#5 Raise Funding & Launch

Ultimately, every startup wants the chance to raise funds and launch their product. CodeLaunch helps you do just that! Applying gives you the chance to compete to win invaluable services, find investors, and get your startup off the ground.

Apply Today!

CodeLaunch has changed the lives of many startup founders regardless of whether they walked away the Overall Winner or not. If you’re ready to take the next step, apply to CodeLaunch DFW 2021 by September 15th!

If you missed CodeLaunch ATL 2021, you should know that it was a huge success! As the first CodeLaunch ever held outside of DFW, we worked tirelessly to make sure it was just as much of a triumph in Atlanta. After many months of planning, we welcomed close to 400 attendees into the Legacy Theater at Phase Events in Alpharetta, GA. This blog highlights CodeLaunch ATL for anyone who missed the event or for those who want to relive their CodeLaunch experience.

All About CodeLaunch

CodeLaunch is a travelling seed accelerator and startup expo that connects early-stage startups with invaluable seed services critical to stimulating their business. Unlike many startup accelerators, CodeLaunch is completely free to apply, and there is no equity surrendered. CodeLaunch ATL 2021 featured several innovative concepts from across the United States, highlighted by our Overall Winner Evva Health.

The professional hackathon is what makes CodeLaunch truly unique. Each finalist is paired with a professional development team that accelerates product development and builds out as much of their MVP as possible in a 2-day time frame. During the pitch competition, the product is demoed live and for the first time in front of a live audience, who then vote for the Overall Winner. CodeLaunch ATL professional hackathon teams were provided by Build Technology Group, Improving Atlanta, Improving Houston, and Code Authority.

Carl Hanna, Co-Founder of Evva Health, said, “I loved the hackathon. Usually hackathons are with college students, but this was different because we were paired with professional developers. It was really a matter of aligning priorities and features to showcase during the demo. It was truly great working with Improving Atlanta.”

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 went above and beyond our expectations! With close to 400 people attending, the turnout was huge. A big thank you to the Alpharetta Chamber and Improving Atlanta, including Scott McMichael and Emily Rosselle, for welcoming CodeLaunch with open arms.

The Legacy Theater at Phase Events was an amazing venue that was perfect for CodeLaunch. The expo hall floor was filled with attendees, sponsors, community partners, and startups. Overall, there was great community support that CodeLaunch is more than grateful for.

Rashedia Mahane, Founder of Greenchips, said, “I really enjoyed CodeLaunch. It was like a movie because it was an opportunity to get on stage and have the crowd respond. Though I did not win, I left with an intern and interested investors. We left feeling like winners. Jason and Raheel were so encouraging. I loved the hackathon team, Build Technology Group, too.”

Stephen Mallik, Co-Founder of iStory, said, “CodeLaunch was a blessing for iStory. We got 10 minutes of time with an audience of 350+ to showcase our product and tell our story. Plus, we got a good push on our Studio MVP via the professional hackathon. It is of tremendous help for our startup.”

Finalists & Overall Winner

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 featured some of the most unique startup concepts yet. The CodeLaunch Finalists included:

Evva Health, Atlanta, GA

Evva Health is a platform that is centered around family caregivers to better help them care for their loved one as well as themselves. Their platform creates a “superhighway” between patients, family members, and doctors as well as the community as a whole.

Greenchips, Atlanta, GA

Greenchips helps women gain the financial confidence and control needed to create the lives they deserve. This is achieved with their thoughtfully designed software which helps women thrive as they navigate through Greenchips’ four-step process

Tinysponsor, Los Angeles, CA

Tinysponsor is an influencer marketplace for content sponsorships. They help content creators, bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, etc. directly sell sponsorships to brands for placements. Essentially, they are like an Etsy or Shopify for influencing.

iStory, Alpharetta, GA

iStory is the first interactive storytelling tool for digital marketers that integrates voice/AI, rich media, and analytics.

Overall Winner

Using the ProTexting platform, the CodeLaunch audience voted, and with 39% of the votes, Evva Health was named the CodeLaunch ATL 2021 Overall Winner.

Evva Health was able to demonstrate the product from the hackathon in front of a diverse and engaged audience. “Rehearsal was more stressful than the actual pitch itself. The energy in the room was great, and I really enjoyed it. I was in the zone because I knew the message. It flowed well, and it seemed like the audience loved it as well,” said Carl.

Carl said he would definitely attend a future CodeLaunch. He would also be open to being a speaker. “I feel like I’m a part of a family. We want CodeLaunch to be part of the Evva Health family too. We will be attending another one for sure,” he said.

Evva Health’s next steps are raising funding. “We had a couple of VCs reach out to us, so we’re setting up meetings to hopefully get the funding we need. We are planning on launching a crowdfunding campaign, so investors, be on the lookout,” said Carl.

Sponsors & Community Partners

CodeLaunch is grateful to our many sponsors. Without them, the event would not be possible.

The CodeLaunch ATL 2021 sponsors included:

Build Technology Group helps their partners solve problems using technology, innovation, business, and technical thought leadership so they can establish a clear and sustainable direction for the future

Chick-fil-A is one of the largest American fast food restaurant chains. Chick-Fil-A Avalon in Alpharetta, GA provided the professional hackathon teams with food and drinks.

Cybriant assists companies in making informed business decisions and sustaining effectiveness in the design, implementation, and operation of their cyber risk management programs.

FirstGen Agency with pitching, branding, go-to market strategies, and generating revenue for early-stage companies.

Founders Legal is a Corporate & Intellectual Property Law Firm based in Atlanta, Georgia USA, that focuses exclusively on complex matters in the areas of Intellectual Property, Corporate, Transactional, and Securities law.

Frontline Capital Partners is a business advisory firm assisting lower middle market companies in developing capitalization and operating strategies that maximize liquidity event valuations. They provided judge, Jim Bryja, Managing Partner of Frontline Capital Partners.

Fuel Coffee is a premier and authentic Coffee Shop that has been proudly serving the North Georgia area and beyond since 2021. Fuel Coffee provided the professional hackathon teams with coffee and drinks.

Established at the intersection of managed services and software-as-a-service, Montra’s solutions are delivered by industry veterans who balance the leading-edge capabilities you want with reliability you can count on. They provided judge Scott Ryan, CEO of Montra.

For almost two decades, Panoramic Ventures has opened new doors for overlooked founders, giving more entrepreneurs access to capital to build leading tech companies. They provided judge Mark Buffington, CEO BIP Capital.

Visionaire Partners is an award-winning staffing firm. They were founded in 2008 in Atlanta, and their executive management team average 25+ years’ experience in IT Staffing. Visionaire Partners are focused on finding the best IT resources that drive results for their clients.

CodeLaunch ATL also had many local community partners who lent their support.

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 community partners included:

• Startup Atlanta
• Atlanta Tech Village
• Tech Alpharetta
• ATDC Georgia Tech
• Technology Association of Georgia
• Atlanta Ventures
• Alpharetta Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Tech Student Innovation

The Future of CodeLaunch

With the huge success of CodeLaunch ATL 2021, we are not stopping there! Follow CodeLaunch on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay tuned for events across the United States in Improving markets.

CodeLaunch DFW 2021 takes place November 17, 2021 at the Comerica Center. Applications are currently open and close September 15^th!

Greenchips is a startup dedicated to giving women the tools they need to succeed financially. This blog highlights Greenchips, their unique software, and their CodeLaunch experience so far.

About Greenchips

With a B.S. in Business and Financial Planning and over a decade of financial service and wealth management experience, Rashedia Mayhane is the founder of Greenchips. “At Greenchips we help women gain the financial confidence and control needed to create the lives they deserve. This is achieved with our thoughtfully designed software which helps women thrive as they navigate through our four-step process,” says Rashedia.

“We are our members. For women. By women. Our keen focus on our member’s money mindset is what sets us apart from any other financial company. We know that everything starts with our minds, including building wealth,” says Rashedia.

Rashedia has worked for some of the world’s largest wealth management and financial institutions, such as Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley. She has heard countless women say that money controls them rather than the other way around. Rashedia herself has overcome many financial obstacles so she knows firsthand that if you’re able to shift your money mindset, eliminate bad habits, and identify your goals, life will have limitless possibilities, especially around building wealth.

She wanted to start her own business for freedom. The freedom to own her own time, which is part of how she defines her own wealth, the freedom to create a business that is truly focused on helping women thrive, and the freedom to create something bigger than herself.

Accomplishments, Goals, & CodeLaunch

Greenchips has reached many milestones since it was founded. Some of their biggest accomplishments are:

• 150+ members
• 4k+ followers
• Raising $98,583
• 3 non-profit partners
• 3 female-led organization partners

Greenchips has been hard at work, and Rashedia always keeps her goals in mind. Greenchips’ short-term goal is to build a dynamic and powerful community of like-minded women who are looking to thrive. The long-term goal is to be a one-stop shop for women and money with a money mindset, financial planning, banking, investments, and career building.

Rashedia heard about CodeLaunch from her mentor. “As an African-American, female founder who does not receive the same amount of funding as my white male counterparts, being able to have our MVP built is HUGE,” she says.

This is Rashedia’s second time applying, and each time she’s had the opportunity to learn and grow. She is excited to represent women in the finance and tech field. If she were to win, her plan is to launch the Greenchips MVP, to keep growing, and to make an impact in the lives of women.

Join Us at CodeLaunch ATL 2021!

The only way you can see Greenchips pitch is by attending! Visit our Eventbrite to reserve your spot as an attendee.

The marketing industry is always looking for new ways to get their message across. That’s where iStory comes in. They are a one-of-a-kind tool for digital marketers to tell their stories. Read on to learn more about iStory and their CodeLaunch experience.

What is iStory?

iStory is the first interactive storytelling tool for digital marketers that integrates voice/AI, rich media, and analytics. From its abilities and functions, iStory is unique for many reasons. iStory has perfect timing for voice, content creation, and digital messaging. It has a technology stack that combines voice technology (voice to text, text to voice, and text to action) with no code platform.

This startup is made of a special team with the best industry experience. They have a deep understanding of entrepreneurship, marketing, and engineering. iStory’s co-founders are:

• Stephen Mallik, engineering co-founder
• Adi, Raj. Murali, & Vinoth, technology co-founders
• Chris Hall, management co-founder
• Urs Rothmayr, management co-founder
• Mike Nevis, product co-founder
• Mass Schachte, product co-founder

“The spark behind our startup was the realization that ‘Life is not about speed and productivity, which is what we do with software. With AI, we can propel creativity.’,” says Stephen Mallik. Stephen said his interest in starting his own business is a love for “the entrepreneurial spirit to be free and the desire to express oneself fully.”

iStory’s biggest accomplishments so far:

• Technology created
• Product MVP completed
• Initial product market fit
• Starting to validate the business model
• Management team in place

Their short-term goal (3 years) is to disrupt the marketing industry by empowering digital marketers to tell powerful stories using voice AI. Their long-term goal (3 to 7 years) is to disrupt the content economy with a storytelling technology that combines the most advanced AI technology with the best-in-class digital content rendering technology.

The CodeLaunch Experience

iStory heard about CodeLaunch while they were searching for avenues for startup acceleration. They have a competitive nature, so CodeLaunch stood out to them. The professional hackathon also made them interested.

“So far our CodeLaunch experience has been awesome. The feeling that we were chosen out of the many companies that applies gave us much-needed confidence. CodeLaunch is flying a team from Houston to participate in the hackathon, and we feel so blessed about it. We think we will be a better company after the competition because of the exposure and the technology push we get,” says Stephen.

They are most excited about the results of the professional hackathon as well as the opportunity to pitch and showcase their product on stage in front of a large audience who is interested in startups.

If iStory were to win, they would use the acceleration they got out of CodeLaunch to continue to propel forward to get funded and launch.

Join us at CodeLaunch ATL 2021!

The only way you can see iStory’s pitch is by attending CodeLaunch ATL! Reserve your spot for August 18th by visiting our Eventbrite here.

As loved ones grow older, many people shift their roles into caregivers. Evva Health is transforming this sector of healthcare with a digital solution to caregiving. They look at caregiving through a community standpoint rather than an individual one. This blog highlights Evva Health and their healthcare platform with a unique spin.

About Evva Health

Evva Health is a platform you can access via a mobile device or the web and is centered around helping people care for their loved ones. Carl Hanna, Co-Founder, says, “We are focused around helping family caregivers—not a professional but regular folks like you or me—who are taking care of family members.”

Evva Health supports caregivers by providing information about health issues as well as services and resources in the community. “At its core Evva Health is a platform that is centered around family caregivers to better help them care for their loved one as well as themselves. Oftentimes, caregivers forget about themselves.” The solution would create a “superhighway” between patients, family members, and doctors as well as the community as a whole.

“You’ll notice on our website that we have first started to focus on caregivers to those with dementia, such as a parent with dementia. All caregivers are stressed, but we noticed caregivers for those with dementia tend to be almost more so due to the nature of the disease. Dementia makes things unpredictable—financially and physically. Unfortunately, when someone has dementia, they tend to have numerous chronic conditions so they’re not just dealing with cognitive decline but also another illness, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes,” says Carl.

What happens between a physician visit to the next can be very difficult for caregivers, and those visits can take 2 to 3 months from one to the next. “When caring for an aging person, you’re seeing multiple doctors for different conditions. There’s a lot of information shared with you that you must process and figure out. Evva Health creates and transforms that information into digestible, bite-sized content,” says Carl.

“Let’s say you are taking care of your family member in your home, and you need to go somewhere. You can’t leave them alone. You need someone to help you. We thought it would be nice to have others in that caregiving ecosystem,” says Carl.

Evva Health connects doctors with caregivers for care plans. Everything is through the Evva Health app. You can have a list of items you need to do, such as “Daily Walk” with your loved one. You can set this up quickly, and you can even note if you can’t complete the task and assign it to a member of the community.

Founders, Goals, & Accomplishments

Carl Hanna and Saurabh Vyas are the Co-Founders of Evva Health. Carl has a PhD in engineering and has 15 years’ experience in consulting and 12 years of experience in healthcare. Saurabh is a physician with healthcare consulting experience. “We’re like a yin and yang team. I’m the engineer in healthcare, and he’s the doctor that does technology,” says Carl.

One of their biggest accomplishments happened last year. “We put out a call for pro-bono interns in 2020 when everything was shut down. We put the word out that we are a startup looking for helping with the hopes of getting one or maybe two people. We ended up with 12 interns over the summer with 4 being from Georgia,” says Carl.

Short term goal is to get more exposure and share their vision of connecting patients, caregivers, and doctors and bringing in the community for a seamless experience. They hope to raise their pre-seed round to be able to pilot their solution in several locations. With millions of caregivers in the country, Evva Health’s long-term goal is to reach them and their community. 

The CodeLaunch Experience

Carl found out about CodeLaunch through his community. A friend of his emailed him at 6:00 pm the day of the application deadline. He spent those next few hours putting everything together only to have technical difficulties with the CodeLaunch website. Thankfully, everything worked out, and now he’s a Finalist!

“The CodeLaunch experience has been great. I’m excited to meet Jason in person and interact with many people at the event. When I think about the fact that I didn’t pay anything or surrender any equity, it seems unreal,” says Carl.

Evva Health is looking forward to the professional hackathon. “We are very excited to be paired with Improving Atlanta for the hackathon. They’re excited about it too. As a founder, you’re always trying to raise money and bootstrap, so it’s refreshing to see people enthusiastic to help without trying to get any money. There’s an exchange of passion for the startup community,” says Carl.

“Jason says we are all winners to partner with a hackathon team, and I agree. If we were to win, we would have bragging rights and more exposure. Whether or not we do win, we will be talking with potential investors. CodeLaunch is a good place to be a startup raising funding. A win would show and tell people we have potential. We’re really looking forward to the networking opportunity,” says Carl.

Evva Health hopes to get their vision out to the CodeLaunch attendees. “By 2025 the number of Baby Boomers that need to be cared for will increase. There’s going to be more and more need to care for someone who is aging with multiple conditions. Our population is aging, so I think it is time to start thinking about solutions that go beyond traditional caregiving. It’s time to bring others from the community to support caregivers,” says Carl.

Learn More About Evva Health at CodeLaunch ATL!

Evva Health is a unique take on caregiving that is sure to shake up the healthcare industry. If you’d like to see them pitch, you will need to reserve your spot at CodeLaunch on August 18th. Visit our Eventbrite to register!

Influencing is no longer a new concept. It is a valid form of marketing, and it is here to stay. Tinysponsor is shaking up that influencer industry with their content creator marketplace. Read more to learn more about Tinysponsor, what they do, and their CodeLaunch experience so far.

About Tinysponsor

Founded by Mike Prasad and KW Low in Los Angeles, CA, Tinysponsor is an influencer marketplace for content sponsorships. They help content creators, bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, etc. directly sell sponsorships to brands for placements. Mike Prasad, Co-Founder, says, “We’re kind of like an Etsy or Shopify for influencing.” A user can add items to their shop, such as fashion how-to videos or VR podcast sponsorships

”We have a lot of full-time creators and managers using our platform. Once you create a shop, it’s in the marketplace on the website, and you can use the tools for your very specific needs, such as needing a beauty influencer in Los Angeles with a certain skin type,” says Mike.

As long as there is an audience and content, you can create a sponsorship. It doesn’t matter if it is a video or a physical event. “Everything stems from this idea of an ‘inventory.’ You can create a specific inventory pricing package, which makes them actionable and specific to the influencer. It’s sponsorship on their terms and for what they actually do versus random offers,” says Mike.

Mike and KW got their start 10 years ago when they ran websites for niche audiences. They were small but well established. They were trying to figure out how to sustain their business as well as automate and streamline it. Recently they saw how social media is involved in this, and with their experience in social media, they were able to look at the problems that creatives faced. Turns out, they were the same problems they had 10 years ago.

“This is a unique opportunity as the space is growing so fast and being accelerated by the pandemic. It’s an opportunity to grow with, get ahead, and see how we can help the industry,” says KW.

Their short-term goals are to raise this round of funding as well as streamline and allow more intelligence. They have intelligence on brand match technology, but they want to automate buying and streamline the process so creatives can focus on what they care about most.

Tinysponsor’s long-term goals are to allow creatives to focus on creation while brands focus on business. They want to make it work for everyone. They are proving that influencing is valid and that it works.

“From our point of view, Tinysponsor is not trying to get in the way of anyone. Our goal is to provide a tool to enable everyone—whether an agency, manager, or creative. Anyone who wants to collaborate with us, we’re all ears,” says Mike.

The CodeLaunch Experience

Mike and KW learned about CodeLaunch through investors in the Atlanta area. One of their clients has a large audience in the Southeast market so they were already looking into that area for visibility and fundraising.

They have enjoyed their experience so far. “The calls have been seamless. People seem to love what we do. It has been great talking to judges and the team on the CodeLaunch side, getting their reactions, perspectives, and what they would apply to our business from their point of view,” says Mike.

Tinysponsor is excited for two things. The first is exploring a new market. Content marketing is culturally driven so they are curious to see what this new market culture is like and to explore this new audience. Second, they want to fundraise and expand into other parts of the country.

“Winning CodeLaunch would be a great platform for us. Being a Finalist has given us visibility already. We want to learn how we can become a trusted provider for social media marketing. We bring a lot of knowledge to the table already, so we want to build our creative community by winning CodeLaunch,” says Mike.

Reserve Your Spot at CodeLaunch!

Tinysponsor is excited to pitch their startup concept to a live audience. Make sure you’re there to see it! Join us for CodeLaunch ATL on August 18th by reserving your spot and registering for CodeLaunch today!

CodeLaunch has announced its cohort of four Finalists for the first-ever CodeLaunch event outside of Dallas/Ft. Worth. Those Finalists have competed in a month’s long competition to earn the coveted professional hackathon, which is much sought after by tech startups.

Produced by Improving CodeLaunch is a unique type of accelerator driven by the idea that professional consulting agencies can and should collaborate to uplift tech startups from an early stage with highly skilled and expensive labor from the world’s best technology professionals given to them for free.

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 Finalists

This quarter CodeLaunch is headed to Atlanta on August 18, 2021. This year’s group of CodeLaunch ATL Finalists was curated by the CodeLaunch Selection Committee over a span of 8 weeks. The CodeLaunch ATL Finalists are:

• Evva Health, Atlanta, GA

Evva Health is building a platform to bring best-in-class dementia care to all communities in an easy-to-understand, approachable, and affordable experience.

• GreenChips, Atlanta, GA

GreenChips’ mission is to decrease users’ anxiety, stress, and worries while planning for their financial future by using their app that goes beyond what traditional finance apps provide.

• iStory, Alpharetta, GA

iStory, Arrivu’s first product, integrates voice/AI, rich media, and analytics, enabling marketers to create engaging interactive content cost efficiently.

• TinySponsor, Los Angeles, CA

TinySponsor is a marketplace that helps creators and influencers get paid for their talent and helps businesses and brands engage new audiences.

Carl Hanna, Co-founder of Evva Health, said, “Evva Health is building a digital caregiving platform to support families caring for an aging loved one. We are super excited to collaborate with Improving Atlanta and CodeLaunch to help bring our solution to these deserving families.”

Rashedia Mayhane of GreenChips said, “I applied for CodeLaunch last year and didn’t get in. However, it allowed me to elevate GreenChips. CodeLaunch has been helpful even without even getting into the competition last year, and it propelled us to become a Finalist this year.”

Stephen Mallik, Co-founder of iStory, said, “I’ve never experienced something like CodeLaunch. Improving is going out of their way to help startups while not expecting anything in return. I have never seen that before. I am super impressed.”

Attending CodeLaunch

At CodeLaunch ATL the Finalists will take part in the live pitch competition, and the Overall Winner will be announced in an exciting finale. Only people in attendance will be able to vote for the Overall Winner using ProTexting.

After the finale attendees will get to rub elbows and tap knuckles with 500 or more other guests including many other startups. There will be at least 25 to 35 startup exhibitors to meet and network with.

When asked why a VC or angel should attend CodeLaunch, Jason W. Taylor, President and Founder of CodeLaunch, said, “VCs and angels are always looking for deal flow. Tomorrow’s deal flow starts today at CodeLaunch, and our track record proves it.”

The dev shops taking part in the CodeLaunch ATL professional hackathon are Build Technology Group, Improving Atlanta, Improving Houston, and Code Authority. Thank you, Build Technology Group (Woodstock, GA), for leaning into conscious capitalism and the spirit of CodeLaunch!

CodeLaunch would not be possible without its sponsors. This year’s sponsors include Improving Atlanta, Build Technology Group, Frontline Capital Partners, Chick-fil-a Avalon, Fuel Coffee, Montra, Cybriant, Visionaire Partners, and FirstGen Agency.

Meet the Crushed It Panel

The Crushed It panel is made up of people who reached post-CodeLaunch success. In other words, they crushed it!

Matthew Swarts, Co-Founder of CharaChorder, is one half of the Crushed It panel. His startup, CharaChorder, was a CodeLaunch 7 Finalist that has moved on to do great things since CodeLaunch. Their product, the CharaChorder Lite, was 100% funded on Kickstarter within 24 hours, and it raised over $100,000 on the fundraising platform.

The other half of the Crushed It panel is Curtis McConnell, CEO of Authentify Art. Authentify Art was last year’s CodeLaunch 8 Overall Winner. Authentify Art aims to create a verification system for art, which has never been done before. They have raised over $950,000 since CodeLaunch 8.

As an attendee, you will hear from Matthew and Curtis as they share their CodeLaunch experience, their success, and more.

Reserve Your Spot at CodeLaunch ATL Today!

The only way to participate in CodeLaunch is to get a ticket before they are sold out. Attendance is limited to 500 people. Reserve your access to CodeLaunch today by grabbing a ticket here while they last!

Exhibit space and sponsorships are still available. Contact CodeLaunch Founder, Jason W. Taylor, at 469.656.5021 ASAP.

Without angels and VCs, the startup ecosystem would look a lot different—if it would even exist at all. CodeLaunch is no different. The event would not be the same without angels and VCs attending. If you’re an angel or VC, this blog is for you. Here are three reasons why you should attend CodeLaunch!

1. History of Startup Success

CodeLaunch Finalists and Semifinalists have a demonstrated history of success post-CodeLaunch since the event’s inception. The following are three recent startups that got their start at CodeLaunch.

• Authentify Art, CodeLaunch 8 Overall Winner

Authentify Art aims to create a verification system for art. Many investors and clients have jumped on board with this revolutionary concept. They left their MVP round and now in their seed round. Their goal was to raise $750,000 for their MVP round, and with a last-minute investor, they are at $950,000.

• 3GStrong, CodeLaunch 7 Overall Winner

3GStrong is an elementary school curriculum that teaches social and emotional skills to children through a series of online stories and activities that can be done independently at home, face-to-face with a class, or as a combination of the two. As of 2020 3GStrong has been able to raise over $100,000 and have received several offers for more.

• CharaChorder, CodeLaunch 7 Finalist

CharaChorder’s mission is to elevate average human text transmission speed (40 wpm) above and beyond average human text comprehension speed (250 wpm). Their product, the CharaChorder Lite, was 100% funded on Kickstarter within 24 hours, and it raised over $100,000 on the fundraising platform.

The professional hackathon teams seek out the best startups poised for investment but who need a nudge in their product tech from expense professional technologists. Only the best CodeLaunch applicants become Finalists. These startups do not come out of CodeLaunch with messy cap tables since CodeLaunch does not take equity to provide valuable services to the startup ecosystem. We manufacture investable seed stage startups.

2. Network with Founders

After the pitch competition, everyone will leave the arena and take floor to the startup expo. You can grab some hors d’oeuvres and a beverage and go meet the startups you just saw as well as sponsors and exhibitors of the CodeLaunch Startup Expo. Expect 40 or more exhibits from sponsors, community partners, CodeLaunch ATL finalists and other startups. This is the perfect time to walk around and network. You never know who you may meet.

3. Support Startup Ecosystem

Attending demonstrates your support for the growing entrepreneurial and startup ecosystem, as well as our core ideals of conscious capitalism. Ultimately, CodeLaunch loves startups and wants to see them succeed. CodeLaunch aims to connect early-stage startups with VCs and angels for a mutually beneficial relationship. Supporting CodeLaunch means you support everything that makes the startup community special.

Reserve Your Spot!

Tomorrow’s “deal flow” is found at a CodeLaunch event today! Visit our Eventbrite to reserve your spot as an attendee at CodeLaunch ATL 2021!

2021 is the first year that CodeLaunch is on the road! The first stop is Atlanta, Georgia—specifically Alpharetta. If you have never attended CodeLaunch and live in the southeast United States (or want to take a road trip), CodeLaunch ATL 2021 is for you!

CodeLaunch is a seed accelerator competition, startup expo, and networking event all in one. This blog highlights four of the reasons you should attend CodeLaunch ATL 2021—even if you didn’t apply.

#1 Network with Angels & VCs

Last year’s CodeLaunch 8 had over 300 people attend the event. There were entrepreneurs, angels, VCs, investors, startup founders, and more. When professionals with a passion for the startup ecosystem gather in one location, it is the perfect opportunity to meet new people and network. You are bound to meet other like-minded people that you might even end up collaborating with in the future. CodeLaunch is truly a networking event unlike any other!

#2 Access the Pitch Competition

The CodeLaunch Selection Committee chooses Finalists based on a number of criteria. These Finalists are competing for exclusive seed services that are vital to any early-stage startup. These services include a professional product development hackathon team, startup development programs, digital marketing campaigns, legal services, and much, much more!

During the pitch competition, each Finalist has only 5 minutes to go over their background and goals as well as how their concept or product works. They will explain how their product is unique and what makes it marketable and, ultimately, why they should win CodeLaunch.

#3 Access the Startup Expo

After the pitch competition, you will take to the CodeLaunch floor for the startup expo. There will be many booths with sponsors, community partners, Semifinalists, and Finalists. This is where the networking happens!

#4 Vote for a Winner

One of the things that makes CodeLaunch different from other startup competitions is that the audience votes for the winner. Using ProTexting SMS services, each member of the audience will text their favorite Finalist’s unique code to a designated number. You’ll see the results in real-time on the CodeLaunch stage. Once time is up, the Overall Winner is named in an exciting finale!

Join us at CodeLaunch ATL 2021!

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 takes place August 18^th 2021 at the Legacy Theatre at Phase Events. Reserve your spot as an attendee by purchasing your ticket from our Eventbrite!

The CodeLaunch ATL 2021 deadline is inching nearer and nearer. You may be on the fence, questioning if CodeLaunch is right for your tech startup. The answer to your questions is “Yes”. CodeLaunch is absolutely the right choice for any pre-MVP tech startup that is ready to take the next step!

This blog will explain some details that you may not know about CodeLaunch!  

Free to Apply!

The first thing you must know about CodeLaunch is that it is completely free to apply. CodeLaunch aims to elevate the best startups by offering seed services without any financial catch. There is no fee and no equity surrendered. This means there is no reason why you should not enter!

Another great thing about CodeLaunch is all applications are protected under a mutually exclusive NDA. Your concepts will remain safe!

CodeLaunch is a 100% free competition, so there is nothing to lose by applying!

What We Mean by Pre-MVP

CodeLaunch wants startups that do not have an MVP (minimally viable product). We are not looking for embryonic or “concept only” startups. Competing in CodeLaunch requires some proof of execution, such as UI/UX mockups or wireframes along with your pitch deck.

What sets CodeLaunch apart from other seed accelerators is the professional hackathon. Each finalist is paired with a team of professional developers to help build out their MVP. It is an all-night, energy drink and coffee filled coding marathon. The MVP created from the professional hackathon is then demoed live and for the first time in front of an audience who then vote for the Overall Winner.

Building out as much of the finalists’ MVP as possible in the professional hackathon is a key ingredient to the CodeLaunch experience.

Finalist Categories

CodeLaunch finalists are broken into four categories depending on the function of their startup.

US Commercial

The US Commercial category is for founders and ventures based in the USA with the intent of the business is to be as commercially successful as possible.

International

CodeLaunch welcomes startups from all around the world to apply to compete. The International category is for any finalist located anywhere other than the United States.

Student Founder

Founders from the Student Founder category must be full-time students at any level/grade of educations, including K-12, middle school, high school, undergraduate, graduate, or PhD.

Social Impact

The Social Impact category is when a venture addresses a needed social change or is impacting humanity and communities more so than commercial success and profit.

Apply Today!

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 applications close June 17^th! Apply now before it’s too late!

Get ready, Atlanta! CodeLaunch is coming to you August 18th! CodeLaunch is the travelling seed accelerator and startup expo aimed at elevating the most innovative, pre-MVP startups. It is the tech startup event where angels, developers, and startup founders collide.

There will be an estimated 700 people attending CodeLaunch ATL 2021! From the startup expo and professional hackathon to the competition finale and face-to-face networking opportunities, CodeLaunch is a unique event you do not want to miss.

This blog will tell you everything you need to know about CodeLaunch! If you’ve been wanting to know more about the when, where, and why, keep reading!

What is CodeLaunch?

CodeLaunch is a combination of a seed accelerator competition, tech tradeshow, startup conference, and raucous networking event! CodeLaunch sponsors and partners put thousands of dollars in professional seed services behind the winners of its national seed accelerator competition. Since its conception, over $800,000 in services have been given to CodeLaunch Finalists!

CodeLaunch has humble beginnings that date back to 2011. Back then, it was called the “Code Authority App Idea Competition”. Jason W. Taylor, CodeLaunch Founder and Code Authority President, wanted to help startups gain traction in the tech industry, and with Code Authority’s (now Improving Frisco) resources, he made it happen. Though the competition needed a better name and some find tuning, the core values have remained the same.

With hard work and determination, the first official CodeLaunch event took place on September 11, 2013. CodeLaunch I looked much different than present CodeLaunch events. There were no sponsors and only 40 attendees. The idea was to put a unique spin on the software seed accelerator concept. It was all about giving deserving startups the tools they need to get off the ground.

The startup expo was added in 2015 and CodeLaunch V introduced the professional hackathon. The startup expo is a tradeshow that highlights sponsors, community partners, past Semifinalists and Finalists, and current Finalists as well. It allows startups and entrepreneurs to connect with investors through the networking afterparty.

CodeLaunch has evolved into a community of like-minded local and regional “dev shops”. Companies with teams of professional developers pair their teams with curated CodeLaunch Finalists in a friendly “co-opetition” to see which team can accelerate their startup’s product the most while hoping their startup wins the finale at CodeLaunch itself.

The professional hackathon is what makes CodeLaunch different than other startup accelerators. The professional hackathon is an all-out, coffee and energy drink-filled coding marathon where professional software and application development teams are paired with CodeLaunch Finalists to build out as much of their product as they can. That product is then demoed live and for the first time in front of the CodeLaunch audience, who then vote for their Overall Winner.

What You Can Expect from CodeLaunch

Once you get to Phase Events at The Legacy Theater, you will head to the ticket booth for a contactless check in using your Eventbrite ticket. If you arrive at 4:30 pm, you can grab a cold, refreshing drink and then visit the sponsors, startups, and exhibitors, which will be setup to connect with you in the halls and conference rooms. The show starts at 5:30 pm. This is where the fun starts!

Grab your seat and get ready for interesting and inspiring presentations from past CodeLaunch winners and business thought leaders on a variety of topics. After this, the competition starts!

You’ll see the panel of judges on stage along with the emcee, who will kick off the competition by introducing the CodeLaunch Finalists. After everyone has been introduced, it’s time to begin! Each Finalist will come on stage, one at a time, and introduce themselves and give a 5-minute pitch. Once they completed their pitch, the panel of judges start a Q&A session asking the Finalists anything from what their next steps are to how they plan to market their product (and more!). This happens with each Finalist.

After the last Finalist pitches and the Q&A is over, the audience is prompted to vote for who they want to see as the Overall Winner. It is time to get your phones out and use ProTexting’s SMS messaging to vote. You will see the results live in real time on a big screen! Once the voting time has ended, the Overall Winner is announced in a high-energy finale! As an attendee, you get the opportunity to help choose the Overall Winner, so your attendance is important!

After the pitch competition, everyone will leave the arena and take floor to the startup expo. Grab some hors d’oeuvres and another beverage and go meet the startups you just saw, sponsors, and exhibitors of the CodeLaunch Startup Expo. Expect 40 or more exhibits from sponsors, community partners, CodeLaunch ATL finalists and other startups. This is the perfect time to walk around, learn more about our sponsors and startups, and network with angels, VCs, and investors.

We are experienced in producing fun, safe, and comfortable events and will follow any relevant laws and ordinances. If there is still a requirement, we will bring the following safety measures:

• Limit event to 700 attendees
• Mask/glove stations
• Socially distanced exhibitors
• Sanitization stations
• Socially distanced seating
• Individually wrapped hors d’oeuvres
• One-way exhibit hall traffic
• Temperature reading at check in
• Masked and glove bar and food staff
• Contactless check in

About CodeLaunch ATL 2021

If you are a pre-MVP startup, don’t miss the opportunity to apply for CodeLaunch ATL 2021! You will have the chance to compete for exclusive seed services and a professional hackathon to bring your product to life.

Build Technology Group is providing a 4-person professional hackathon team for CodeLaunch ATL 2021. Build Technology Group was born from a private consulting opportunity in an organization designed to retain top talent and the aspirations of investors and entrepreneurs to build and design creative, cutting edge software. Build Technology Group soon outgrew the original parameters of their humble beginnings and has gone on to develop, design and manage some of the busiest and most popular e-commerce web sites in America.

Improving Atlanta is also providing a professional hackathon team. Improving is a complete IT services firm, offering training, consulting, recruiting, and project services. Their innovative solutions and processes have helped hundreds of clients across the globe realize their tactical and strategic business objectives. As a result, Improving’s 1,000 employees have accumulated extensive technology and management experience in several industries, including financial services, energy, travel, retail, government, and several others.

Venture Space Professionals

CodeLaunch may not be where you find today’s deal flow unless you are into very early stage, but it is where you find tomorrow’s deal flow. After all, CodeLaunch takes credit for getting the following startup success stories off the ground, funded, and accelerated:

• Authentify Art
• Durable Alpha
• 3GStrong
• CharaChorder
• KidStrong
• CountertopSmart
• Park Up Front
• ProsRent

CodeLaunch is a must-attend event for all Georgia US based VCs and Angels—Deal Flow begins at CodeLaunch!

Apply for CodeLaunch ATL 2021!

If you are a pre-MVP tech startup ready to take the next step, apply for CodeLaunch ATL 2021! Applications close June 17th so don’t wait!

DucieClub, multi-year CodeLaunch Semifinalist, is making waves in the supply chain with a concept never seen before. With hundreds of days on the road and thousands of stores visited, DucieClub has perfected the way for consumers to find “hidden deals” that will save them money as well as keep excess products out of landfills.

This blog highlights DucieClub: who they are, what they do, and their CodeLaunch experience.

Who is DucieClub?

DucieClub focuses on keeping excess products out of landfills while saving people money. DucieClub is a family business founded by Ron and Jetje Williams. When asked what DucieClub does, Ron said, “We like to stress it’s not about what we do but why we do it. We want to help people save money, make money, and save the planet.”

Ron is a professional bowler, and in 2009 he had knee surgery. His friend recommended buying a treadmill to help his recovery from Sears because they were on sale. As he walked around Sears, he noticed an $800 camcorder marked down to $200. When he bought it, he found it was priced for even less. When he asked the sales associate why it was so cheap, she said it happens all the time. Little did he know, the idea for DucieClub would happen that day.

When consumers see items ringing up for less than they were marked, it is often thought of as a coincidence. Ron, however, saw it as an opportunity to create a business that would help customers find hidden deals.

Ron has a B2C background spanning since he worked with his father when he was 4. He’s always been fascinated with the supply chain inventory to the point he’s been called the “LeBron James of supply chain”. After the camcorder incident at Sears, Ron started to stop by every Sears store in whatever city he was bowling in to look for these marked down items. This snowballed, and for the past 10 years, Ron has visited around 10,000 different stores building a complex algorithm for finding these hidden deals.

Ron said, “In 2009 with our last $2,000, we built a million-dollar business. For ten years, we’ve gathered data by driving millions of miles. What appears to be a fluke occurrence happens at a scale that nobody could previously measure. If people just knew how much stuff was out there like this, it would make such a difference saving them money.”

When COVID shut the United States down, people could not find life-saving products. DucieClub put their data to the test to find stores that sold hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and even flour. They were able to be proactive rather than reactive to the pandemic.

Ron says, “Imagine the days of the Renaissance when people learned the earth was round and not the center of the universe. We had this idea of what the supply chain was, but COVID made us realize that it’s not what it is cracked up to be.”

With their COVID initiative, Ron realized they can do a lot of good with DucieClub. He said, “We can help so many people, like with the COVID products. We’re not here to profit off a tragedy. We drew a line where people come before profits.”

From COVID items to electronics and Keurigs—and everything in between—DucieClub helps people find the hidden deals they didn’t know were out there.

The CodeLaunch Experience

DucieClub’s first experience at CodeLaunch was as an attendee at CodeLaunch 6 with winners KidStrong and CountertopSmart. Ron said, “It was motivating and energetic. I felt that we were in the right spot and in the right arena that we needed to be in.”

Ron said he liked CodeLaunch’s focus was on startups with no punches held back. He said, “As a startup, you’re going to get knocked down. We all have great ideas and passion. CodeLaunch helps you not get discouraged.”

As for his CodeLaunch 7 experience, Ron said the curation process can help any business. “It really helps you dial in on what you’re working on and helps you get from point A to point B to point G—whatever company at whatever stage. It’s also a great networking experience,” he said.

The startups life can get lonely at times, but CodeLaunch helped him not feel alone. Ron said he gained a community and a family of startups. “We met a lot of neat people through networking with the same drive and ambition. We were competitors that also wanted what was best for everyone.”

CodeLaunch 8 was also a positive experience for Ron. He said, “We received homework in CodeLaunch 8 that really made you stop and think: ‘Am I in this for the right reason?’ and ‘Am I motivated enough?’ We know that, yes, we are passionate about DucieClub and in it for the long game.”

Since CodeLaunch, DucieClub is partnering with the University of North Texas to build their MVP. Ron said, “There have been happy tears since CodeLaunch 8 and working with UNT. Things I’ve been waiting to see for over 20 years are coming to life.”

Ron’s experience with UNT has been eye opening. As of now, they have seen what the final version of their web app looks like. “Throughout this process, we have built our own community. We want to build our current family of beta users and become the GPS system of hidden deals,” Ron said.

CodeLaunch has been beneficial to DucieClub in many ways. Ron said, “Without the three years of CodeLaunch, I don’t think we would be where we’re at today.”

Learn More About DucieClub!

DucieClub’s mission is to empower people with informed decisions, and they’re on the right path to do just that. Learn more about DucieClub on their website!

Facebook: DucieClub
LinkedIn: DucieClub
Twitter: @DucieClub
Instagram: @DucieClub

Starting this year, CodeLaunch is happening once per quarter! You may be wondering, “What happened to Q1? And what about Q2?” Because the pandemic was raging and times were uncertain, the planning phase for an in-person event was not possible. However, we did not want to let time go by without helping startups! That is why we are hosting a Q2 virtual hackathon for Mortie, one of the CodeLaunch 8 Alternate Finalists.

This blog highlights the CodeLaunch Q2 Virtual Hackathon: who will be involved, what it is, and more about Mortie.

CodeLaunch Q2 Virtual Hackathon

The professional hackathon is what separates CodeLaunch from other seed accelerator competitions. The professional hackathon is an all-out, coffee and energy drink-filled coding marathon where professional software and application development teams are paired with CodeLaunch Finalists to build out as much of their product as they can. That product is then demoed live and for the first time in front of the CodeLaunch audience, who then vote for their Overall Winner. The professional hackathon allows Finalists to leave the competition with a tangible product.

The CodeLaunch Q2 Virtual Hackathon will be a little different. Mortie, CodeLauch 8 Alternate Finalist, is paired with Binary Computing for product development. Binary Computing will have two days to build out Mortie’s product! There’s no in-person demo, but there will be LinkedIn livestreams! Check out the livestream at the bottom of this post!

Since 2004, Binary Computing has worked with clients to design, engineer, and develop a wide variety of custom computer software applications using an array of technologies and platforms. They specialize in custom software development, database solutions, development solutions, hardware drivers, custom applications, and custom programming services.

Harold Frazier of Binary Computing said, “We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Improving and contribute a CodeLaunch professional hackathon team. We hope our efforts accelerate Mortie’s startup trajectory toward MVP.”

Jason W. Taylor, CodeLaunch President and Founder, said, “The pandemic prevented us from having another in-person event until Q3 and we didn’t want to leave the startup community hanging for half a year, so we put together a professional hackathon team for Mortie, a group we had slotted as an alternate finalist at the November CodeLaunch 8 event in DFW.”

Mortie: Who They Are and What They Do

Mortie is a space to upload your past, share your present, and send messages to the future, creating a digital version of yourself that can interact with and contribute to the world forever.

Mortie was founded by Courtney Harmon and Kitty Bogle-Sherman. They are sisters who are on a mission to make a societal impact on a global scale by keeping the focus on the well-being of their users with core values rooted in the principles of Humane Tech and Conscious Capitalism. Courtney has a background in finance, information, management, and software development, and Kitty has a background in law, politics, and leadership/organizational development.

The sisters had the first concept of Mortie in 2012 when they lost a loved one. Suddenly, they could not call her, ask for her advice, or receive the encouragement she always gave. It was around the time that they were having children and realized there was so much they wanted to make sure their kids and loved ones would know about them.

In spring of 2020, they started talking about the idea again and how there still was nothing on the market to address this need. Last August they pitched their idea at CodeLaunch 8 and started app development. They were chosen as a CodeLaunch Alternate Finalist and participated in CodeLaunch 8 as exhibitors.

Regarding the CodeLaunch Q2 Virtual Hackathon, Kitty said, “We are so thrilled to participate in CodeLaunch because this will bring together a piece we haven’t discussed yet, which is possibly the most exciting and innovative part of our software. We call it Fetch; Fetch is the retrieval side of the Immortal Portal. This is where we enable you to interact with your people forever and vice-versa.”

Kitty continued, “Based on the way we help you store and organize your posts, CodeLaunch is going to integrate Mortie with Voice Assistant technology so that anyone can seamlessly Fetch a specific command from a loved one. For example, I could say, ‘Mortie, Fetch Papa, Make me laugh,’ and our grandfather will appear and tell us one of the jokes he has uploaded to his Mortie profile. Or you could say, ‘Mortie, It’s my birthday!’ and all the birthday messages any of your people have sent to you will appear. The possible use cases for Fetch are endless, and we are very appreciative of CodeLaunch for implementing this feature into Mortie.”

Instagram: @MortieApp

Follow Us on LinkedIn!

Follow CodeLaunch Accelerator on LinkedIn for updates and live streams on the CodeLaunch Q2 Virtual Hackathon!

CodeLaunch ATL 2021 will take place on August 18, 2021! Applications open May 1st!

It is nearly impossible to not have seen all the art-related news this past year. From Netflix documentaries to the buzz over NFTs, a verification system for art is needed now more than ever. CodeLaunch 8 Overall Winner, Authentify Art, is filling the verification gap with their product.

Authentify Art has made great strides since taking home the title of Overall Winner. They recently left their MVP round and are meeting milestone after milestone all while shaking up the art world with their product.

This blog highlights Authentify Art, how their platform works, and how it is relevant in today’s art world.

Who is Authentify Art?

Founded by Keri Kilty and Curtis McConnell, Authentify Art aims to create a verification system for art.

Curtis explains, “In simplest terms, think of us as Carfax for art. If you bought a car, you could look up the VIN number to find all kinds of information—when the oil was changed or if there are collisions. For art, there is no VIN number, so you have no idea whether the information is correct. There is a unique opportunity to put a VIN number on every work of art to make it easy for everyone to pull out their phone and get information about it. For a lot of people, it allows them to fall in love with art without getting shortchanged.”

With a concept as revolutionary as Authentify Art, it is no surprise that many investors and clients have jumped on board, including a bank with 30,000 works of art and an insurance company for art investors. Authentify Art just left their MVP round and are going into their seed round. Their goal was to raise $750,000 for their MVP round, and with a last minute investor, they’re at $950,000.

Curtis and Keri have met many major milestones. Their biggest is their completed MVP, so they have their first clients using the platform. They have two more clients onboarding in April. There is a lot of movement happening within the company, including the completion of their art tracker.

The art tracker is like “a Fitbit for a work of art,” says Curtis. Pulling technology from the medical field, the art tracker is affixed to the back of the painting, and it tracks metrics from humidity and temperature to geolocation and exposure to light. It allows continuous monitoring on an artwork, so you can know whether an air conditioner is blowing on it, if it’s on its side while in transit, and most importantly, whether it is out of its geofenced range.

Authentify Art has partnered with IBM and Samsung with their technology. They offer both near field communication and long range, which adds a digital fingerprint. You can take your phone, look at a work of art, and identify it—like a retinal scan.

Why Authentify Art is Relevant

One of the most recent art-related news is the growth of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are technology built off the blockchain that are useful for art. NFTs can represent digital files such as art, videos, audio, or other creative entities. The origin of an NFT is a smart contract, which was a way to write code that would represent a legal contract. It is an effective way to have transparency and effective execution.

NFTs recently gained space in the video game world where they would represent, for example, an item in a video game. There is this new space where the gaming world and the art world have intersected. Authentify Art is exploring the way NFTs are used as art merchandise or “a digital lithograph of sorts,” says Curtis. For those who could not afford $100,000 on a painting, they could afford a $100 digital one.

A big issue for people in this industry is how do they know the artwork is real or if it has value. Authentify Art is a safe harbor for anyone who wants to know what the truth is. They want everyone to be able to participate in art in a safe and smart way.

The recently released Netflix documentary, Made You Look: A True Story About Fake Art, highlights some of the pitfalls the art industry has when it comes to authentication and verification. The documentary is a recent story about the oldest art gallery in New York going bankrupt because it sold millions of dollars worth of art that turned out the be fake and not painted by the original artist. With Authentify Art’s technology, these high-quality imitations would not have fooled anyone.

Authentify Art’s technology is going to change the market and how it functions in the next 5 to 10 years. As Curtis says, “It allows us to broaden the view of fine art. Currently, unless you’re a millionaire, you can’t really get into art. There’s amazing art out there, and that does not make it any less fine or poor quality. What it does is stifles the market to decide what is worthwhile and what is not. The general public can have a greater participation in art. People like us buying art does nothing but good things.”

Learn More About Authentify Art

To learn more about Authentify Art, check out their website. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date with their news.

If you want to see more big concepts like Authentify Art take the stage, join us at CodeLaunch ATL on August 18, 2021! Applications open May 1st.

In the spirit of CodeLaunch, the inaugural Afterburner program reached its completion. Afterburner is the pilot program for continued support of the CodeLaunch Finalists and a select group of non-Finalists. Afterburner is all about embryonic stage startup execution. Afterburner sets real world goals by taking their prototypes along with results-oriented methods and applying them to get as much momentum as possible. Afterburner helps startups procure revenue, fundraise with investors, get offers, acquire new users, and more.

The First Afterburner

Due to the participants’ varying time zones, Afterburner had to be flexible with the schedule. Originally planned for two weekly live sessions, the sittings were pivoted into smaller sessions with four to six per week. Afterburner is very much a startup style program. This is the first year this program has been in place, so the goal is to make it better and better each year. Everyone who participated this year said they benefited from it, so Afterburner is off to a good start.

The startups that participated in Afterburner were:
• Authentify Art, San Diego, CA
• Talkien, Moscow, Russia
• Mortie, Longview, TX
• MotoClerk, St. Petersburg, FL
• Ducie Club, Seattle, WA
• MykidBlooms, Dallas, TX
• Durable Alpha, Dallas, TX
• 50/50 (Fift-E Fift-E), Calgary, Canada

Even though this was the first year for Afterburner, there were 15 to 20 modules put into place for the participants. The sessions ranged from gaining contracts when your product is unique to contracting with influencers to promote your product. The curriculum is structured so each startup can get something from it. Talkien signed up their very first influencers from the program!

After 30 days of Afterburner, the winner was Authentify Art with Talkien named runner up! The startups who took the most input, spent the most time, and followed up are the ones who stood out. When they got their homework assignments, they would come back in 48 hours with it completed. The ones who took advantage of Josh Stramiello’s time are the ones who came out on top. Authentify Art and Talkien were on almost every livestream and finished all the tasks given to them.

Josh Stramiello said, “The end goal of Afterburner is to continue to add on and improve infrastructure that CodeLaunch has already created. Because of Jason W. Taylor and Improving, startups can apply, and through the new results-oriented application process, if they put the work in, they can get to the final stage.”

He continued, “There are no educational or financial barriers to getting to the final stage. With Afterburner, we want to make sure these wonderful prototypes and MVP that are built are getting the most mileage as possible. Previous years’ founders had an ocean of possibilities on the day of CodeLaunch, but it has been hard for them to get the most out of it. With Afterburner, we plan on helping steer that momentum and continue to add that infrastructure to launch the startups.”

The Future of Afterburner

The ultimate vision of Afterburner is to have it be a mostly self-paced, fully tagged system that brings in different people with the videos and lessons. There would be up to 150 to 200 lessons tagged so startups can take only the relevant ones. The tags would include SaaS, eCommerce, B2B, B2C, food industry, dating apps, and so on.

Afterburner is creating a way for startups to come in at any stage. It is a merit-based program with a self-paced infrastructure that amplifies CodeLaunch. Without the barriers, Afterburner really is a program for any startup motivated to succeed.

Follow @CodeLaunch on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date with Afterburner and CodeLaunch-related announcements!

For everyone that missed or wasn’t able to attend – CodeLaunch 8 was a huge success! Despite the ongoing global pandemic, we safely welcomed over 300 attendees into the Comerica Center – including the Mayor of Frisco. From the lightshow and pyrotechnics to the networking after party and the confetti drop at the pitch competition, this blog highlights all of the memorable moments and standout contributors that made the 8th annual event the best yet!

What is CodeLaunch?

CodeLaunch is a traveling seed accelerator competition that elevates the most innovative startups in the world by providing premier seed services critical to stimulating their business. Aligning with the ideals of conscious capitalism, CodeLaunch offers its support to the local and international startup ecosystem by providing these invaluable services at no cost nor equity surrendered to winning applicants. This year’s CodeLaunch featured a number of ingenious concepts from across the world, highlighted by our 2020 Overall Winner, Authentify Art.

What makes CodeLaunch truly unique is that a number of Finalists walk away with a tangible, minimally viable product that is fundamental to their business. The awarded Finalists are paired with various professional development teams who then design and build an MVP for their startup in the days preceding the event. At the pitch competition during the event, the startups and development teams demo their product for the first time in front of a live audience, who then vote for their overall winner. This year’s hackathon teams were provided by Code Authority, Improving, iTexico, UNT at Frisco, and Beezwax.

The hackathons are an opportunity for the professional development teams to showcase their skills and build an MVP that the Finalists can expand upon. This year the hackathon teams delivered cutting-edge technology to their Finalist partners, such as AI recognition in both the talkien and Authentify Art products. 

Keri Kilty, CRO of Authentify Art, described the hackathon as unforgettable. Kilty said, “The most memorable moment for me during the CodeLaunch process is the experience of working with the development team from start to finish. We had an amazing team who really became dedicated to our project. It was an incredible 24 hours that will be a story we are able to share for years to come.”

Tony Taewon Han, CTO of Coconut Silo, said, “The feedback from [hackathon] experts was invaluable. We enhanced how to present ourselves and our ideas. We are planning to launch our platform in the next couple of months. The Beezwax team really helped us a lot not only in software development but also in business plan point of view.”

Sean Anderson, CEO of MotoClerk, said, “CodeLaunch 8 was an awesome experience, we were given an amazing team of developers for our hackathon. Because of this, we were able to implement key features in MotoClerk that would have taken a while to complete ourselves!”

Check out the CodeLaunch 2020 Hackathon video on our YouTube channel!

Finalists & Overall Winner

CodeLaunch 8 featured some of the most innovative startup concepts yet, both locally and globally. The CodeLaunch 8 Finalists included:

Commercial Venture

Authentify Art, San Marcos, California

Authentify Art seeks to transform the art industry by allowing people to experience art in a brand-new way. They want to bring art into the 21st century by providing verified data to collectors, insurance companies, banks, value-added service providers, and the general public.

MotoClerk, St. Petersburg, Florida

MotoClerk aims to advance the automotive repair industry with innovative software. Generally, automotive repair shops use antiquated software to manage their business. MotoClerk provides a free, modernized application so they can manage their inventory, track their customers and jobs, and process transactions all in one application.

Student Founder

Durable Alpha, Dallas, Texas

Working cohesively with hedge funds, Durable Alpha’s solutions inform investment decisions. Their scalable technology allows users to mine data, analyze it, and create actionable insights seamlessly, giving hedge funds a competitive advantage.

International

talkien, Moscow, Russia

talkien upgrades the way speech videos are created. A speech video is multimedia accompanied by an audio overlay. Currently, bloggers and others are forced to manually piece together these videos, which takes a lot of time. The talkien application transforms this process by allowing these speech videos to be created almost instantly.

Coconut Silo, Seoul, South Korea

Coconut Silo is a mobility startup that streamlines logistics. They enable manufacturers to move their cargo even if they don’t have trucks through the Coconut Silo application. Logistics companies, cargo owners, and drivers can manage resources using the application, speeding up and streamlining the process.

Overall Winner

Using the ProTexting SMS/MMS platform, the audience voted, and with over 50% of the votes, Authentify Art was named the CodeLaunch 8 Overall Winner. Authentify Art’s next steps are to close their seed round of funding and begin officially onboarding their first alpha and beta clients.

Authentify Art is grateful for the opportunity CodeLaunch presented. They were able to demonstrate their close-to-finished MVP in front of a diverse and engaged audience. Authentify Art loved presenting on stage. Keri Kilty said, “The audience made the event incredible, especially during the unprecedented moment in time we are all in.”

Keri Kilty said Authentify Art would definitely attend a future CodeLaunch. She said, “CodeLaunch is truly the opportunity to take startups from an idea into a company. If you are applying to CodeLaunch, be dedicated and passionate about your vision.”

Sponsors, Community Partners, and Exclusive Seed Services

CodeLaunch 8 is grateful to our many sponsors. Without them, the event would not be possible.

The CodeLaunch 8 Sponsors included:

UNT at Frisco

Back for the third consecutive year, UNT at Frisco reclaimed the title of CodeLaunch Presenting Sponsor.   UNT at Frisco is a prestigious university located in the heart of North Texas. The new location first opened in 2016 and offers more than 24 full degree plans to over 5,000 students. UNT at Frisco also provided a professional hackathon development team for the Durable Alpha project ($11,000 value).

Code Authority

Code Authority offers 100% onshore technology consulting services, such as business automation, transformation, product development, UI/UX, and full-service digital marketing. Code Authority, LLC. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Improving Enterprises, Inc. Code Authority provided a professional hackathon development team for the MotoClerk project ($11,000 value).

Improving

Improving is a complete IT services firm, offering training, consulting, recruiting, and project services. Their innovative solutions and processes have helped hundreds of clients across the globe realize their tactical and strategic business objectives. Improving provided a professional hackathon development team for the talkien project ($11,000 value).

Beezwax

consulting firm that understand business, technology, and software development from various perspectives. They work in cross-functional teams and collaboratively with their clients. Beezwax provided a professional hackathon development team for CocoTruck ($11,000 value).

iTexico

An Improving company, iTexico offers nearshore software development services helping startup, growth, mid-market and enterprise companies to innovate their business. iTexico provided a professional hackathon development team for the Authentify Art project ($11,000 value).

Christiansen Law Group

With over 20 years of experience, Christiansen Law Group is a law firm that is dedicated to the success of their clients as they start, buy, operate, or sell a business. They offered business legal services for all CodeLaunch 8 Finalists ($30,000 value).

Social Media Torch

branding, content, engagement, growth, paid ads, and analytics. They provided the Overall Winner and one Finalist a social media campaign to further their business ($12,000 value).

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)

CLA exists to create opportunities for their clients, their people, and their communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, outsourcing, audit, tax, and consulting services. They provided financial and strategic consulting dedicated to preparing all Finalists for the venture fundraising process ($17,500 value).

ProTexting

platform. With over 16 years of industry experience, they offer SMS, MMS, social media integration, and SMS API access. The CodeLaunch 8 audience used ProTexting’s platform to vote for the Overall Winner.

Brex

Brex is a financial services company that offers business credit cards and cash management accounts to technology-based startups. Brex extended a special offer for all CodeLaunch participants.

Saddock Wealth, LLC

Saddock Wealth is a client-focused wealth management firm well-versed in alternative investments. They work with high net wealth individuals and consult on taxes and startup formation.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is a leading cellular service provider in the United States. They helped sponsor CodeLaunch and even brought their T-Mobile swag truck and handed our merchandise to the audience.

Main Event

Main Event is a family-oriented entertainment venue that offers everything from laser tag to bowling all under one roof. Main Event sponsored CodeLaunch 8 by providing food, drinks, and snacks to the 3-day hackathon teams.

Health and Safety Measures

In order to host a successful CodeLaunch 8 during a pandemic, we needed to make several key changes to the event setup and flow. Originally scheduled for September 10^th, we pushed the event to November 5^th.  We felt strongly that CodeLaunch 8 should be an in-person event and couldn’t wait for the pandemic to recede; therefore, we made a plan and executed it. We introduced health and safety measures to make the event as safe as possible.

Some of the changes we made this year include:

• Limited the event to 500 attendees (<10% capacity)
• 10+ sanitization stations
• Complimentary mask and gloves
• Socially distanced seating
• Bar and food staff were masked and gloved
• One-way exhibit hall traffic
• Temperature reading at check in
• Socially distanced exhibitors
• Individually wrapped hors d’oeuvres

Safety during this time is of the utmost importance, and we knew we could still hold the event while keeping CodeLaunch attendees’ health in mind.

The Future of CodeLaunch

CodeLaunch 8 was an unforgettable event! Our long nights and tireless efforts paid off, and we’re not done yet! Starting in Spring of 2021, CodeLaunch is hitting the road. CodeLaunch will be travelling to four Improving markets to further support the startup ecosystem. Follow CodeLaunch on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date!

UPDATE 8/17/2020:

We’ve had to push our event to Nov 5 from it’s original date of Sept 10. However our COVID-19 Safety and Mitigation plan has received an “official blessing from the City of Frisco”, the finalists have booked travel, and this event WILL OCCUR IN PERSON on NOV 5, The only thing that will stop it now is a court order or legal authority. Come help us re-open the North Texas startup ecosystem by attending this CodeLaunch event and we promise we’ll be doing all the right things to mitigate any COVID-19 risk. See you at CodeLaunch!  – Jason W. Taylor

Wow, what a wild ride we have all been on in 2020. Nearly everyone on earth has been facing the pandemic and all its related challenges. Here in the U.S. we also have had to face some tough questions about our policing practices and social upheaval. If that weren’t enough us Texans have fought off an oil sector crash too. It hasn’t been easy on us—we’ve had some serious headwinds in business and had to make terrible decisions we never expected to. I know the same is true for many of you.

Here at CodeLaunch HQ in Frisco, Texas, when the Pandemic hit, we tabled all focus on CodeLaunch until June 1^st and kept our fingers crossed. We were hoping public sentiment and scientific reality would begin to swing in favor of a re-opening so we could have a real face-to-face CodeLaunch in September. It was blind faith at the time, but by June 1^st, it seemed to me both of those variables were heading in the right direction. I began to circle back with our presenting sponsor, UNT at Frisco, as well as our other key partners and especially our host Comerica Center Arena. I expressed our intent and gathered feedback and concerns from all the parties, including our great 2020 CodeLaunch evangelist Josh Stramiello.

After a couple of weeks working out the details, I am proud to announce today that the 8^th annual CodeLaunch event, presented by UNT at Frisco, is ON! Not in some virtual format either. I’m talking about attendees, judges, networking, the finalists’ competition, professional hackathon teams, and everything else that goes with CodeLaunch will be in person.

It hasn’t been lost on us or our key sponsors that some public safety mitigation is going to be necessary. We have identified a set of measures that we will take to assure the public that we are sensitive to COVID-19 concerns. We are seeking a “health safety sponsor” to help cover the costs of those measures and will be going public with all those changes soon. Our goal is to make sure everyone feels like CodeLaunch is a healthy space to be in.

Today I have a special message for those of you in our North Texas startup community. We have always been laser focused on continuing to produce this event, elevating its impact, and growing participation in CodeLaunch. This year we will prove that like no other. I hope you will join us on September 10^th at the Comerica Center Arena in Frisco, TX. If it’s your first CodeLaunch, I bet you will wonder how in the world you missed the first seven! I can make you this promise: despite the challenges this event WILL BE THE BIGGEST AND BEST SO FAR!

Key Takeaways

• Register to attend here.
• Sponsorships and Exhibitors are available now, contact ideas@codeauthority.com
• Health Safety sponsorship is available now, contact ideas@codeauthority.com

If you want to find out more about CodeLaunch (guiding principles, why we do it, our past, present, and future), you can watch this Virtual Lunch and Learn I produced in early June before we knew for sure we would really have the event (yes, I had a good feeling we would). Please follow us on social media or sign up for our email blasts to keep up with us. We will be making some very exciting hackathon and sponsor announcements soon.

I hope to see you at CodeLaunch this year! Thank you, Wesley Randall and everyone else at UNT!

Stay safe all,

Jason W. Taylor

President & Founder, Code Authority, CodeLaunch

CodeLaunch is known for elevating the best startups without any other considerations aside from their merit. As we look back through the history of CodeLaunch, we’ve had a great deal of extraordinary concepts from leaders coming from all walks of life. CodeLaunch takes great pride in inclusivity for all and celebrates the robust diversity of our applicants, sponsors, and attendees.

CodeLaunch History

Code Authority President and CodeLaunch Founder, Jason W. Taylor, hosted the inaugural CodeLaunch event in 2013—but the startup competition actually dates back to 2011. As an ambitious entrepreneur, Taylor saw the opportunity to help boost the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem in North Texas with a startup competition. The first ever startup event help by Jason and Code Authority was the Code Authority App Idea Competition. Creative name, right?

Pre-CodeLaunch (2011-2012)

The first Code Authority startup event was relatively small, hosting only 38 applicants. The winning startup was JayMed Technology founded by Toni Thomas of Irving, TX. Toni was a single mom with a busy schedule who created an app to help diabetic children, parents, caregivers, and doctors to monitor their diabetic insulin measurement levels in near real-time. Users would input blood sugar levels, how much insulin they use, and how many carbs they plan to eat. The app would prevent blood sugar levels from reaching too high or too low.

The First CodeLaunch (2013)

In 2013, Taylor changed the name from Code Authority Startup Event to “CodeLaunch,” (it just rolls off the tongue better, right?). The first official CodeLaunch competition featured two female finalists with the winner being Cheri Garcia of RentEval—an app that digitizes property maintenance and the evaluation process. RentEval was later acquired by a third party and was considered CodeLaunch’s first successful “exit”. Garcia later moved on to found Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency for second chances. Cornbread Hustle helps people with criminal backgrounds and those in recovery find employment.

CodeLaunch III (2015)

At CodeLaunch III, there was inclusive representation from both the finalists and the overall winner. CodeLaunch’s first out-of-state winner, Kathryn Moore from Boise, Idaho, founded Key2Close. Coming from a background in mortgage loans, Moore conceptualized a real estate app that would allow all parties to be in constant communication throughout the home buying process.

CodeLaunch IV & V

2016 and 2017 featured a lot of diversity among CodeLaunch applicants and finalists, as well. At CodeLaunch IV in 2016, Eric Fooks of Virtual Vue made it to the finalist round. Virtual Vue is a media and communications business specializing in virtual real estate tours.

In 2017 CodeLaunch featured two female finalists. The first finalist was Dr. Roshawna Novellus from Atlanta, Georgia who founded EnrichHER, a company that provides a variety of financial resources that can help women-led businesses grow including small business loans, training, debit and credit cards, and affiliates and partnerships.

The other finalist, Madison McClure, is a North Texas resident who co-founded Cortex, an app that helps speech-language pathology patients maintain their progress between sessions and after discharge. McClure went on to win CodeLaunch V.

CodeLaunch VI (2018)

CodeLaunch 2018 featured a very diverse group, including three finalists who were founded or co-founded by women, including Anona by Mary Kynaston, GotSpot by Reda Hicks, and KidStrong by Megin Sharp. The overall winner was KidStrong. KidStrong is an at-home program designed for parents to fortify “strong body, strong brain, strong character” principles in their children through expert advice, parenting tips and videos, and the private KidStrong community.

CodeLaunch VII (2019)

Last year’s CodeLaunch featured the first international finalist, Matereo founded by Ricardo Carmona, all the way from Portugal. The CodeLaunch 2019 winner was 3GStrong, which is a partnership between two women from North Texas, Kelly Starnes and Jamie Peden. 3GStrong is a curriculum for schools, after-school programs, and home that focuses on teaching children social and emotional critical skills.

Join Us at CodeLaunch 8!

As our past demonstrates, anyone can win CodeLaunch. Finalists and winners are selected on their quality and excellence alone. We encourage all with tech startup concepts to apply to compete for exclusive seed services.

CodeLaunch 8 will be better than ever. You won’t want to miss this chance to network with entrepreneurs and investors! Attendance is capped at 500 this year, so register to reserve your attendance today.