Here’s a quick quiz: What does a social gaming platform for young women have in common with a cancer research application? Not sure? How about this: What do a mobile video application and a car sharing service share in common? Still puzzled? Don’t worry – we have found the answer after weeks of exploring start-ups around the globe. The common thread is, of course, AWS!
These start-ups are among the finalists chosen for the fifth annual AWS Start-Up Challenge. This year’s competition attracted submissions from diverse locations, including Seoul, Pune, Dubai, Moscow, Amsterdam, Toronto, Austin, and even Seattle, our own hometown. As with previous years, this contest has spotlighted exciting new start-ups with varied business models thriving on AWS. We are thrilled to support these innovative entrepreneurs and their ventures. Thank you all for participating and for selecting AWS!
To determine the finalists, our team of AWS judges and top venture capitalists dedicated countless hours to evaluating the entries, selecting finalists from the Americas, Asia, and Europe. These finalists were chosen based on their AWS implementation, creativity and originality, potential for long-term success and scalability, and how effectively their businesses met market needs.
Without further ado, we are excited to present this year’s finalists!
Finalists:
- Booshaka
- Deputy.com
- Fantasy Shopper
- FlixLab
- Getaround
- Intervention Insights
- Localytics
The finalists have been invited to San Jose for the Grand Finale on November 10th. Each finalist will present to the audience before engaging in a Q&A session with our panel of Venture Capital judges. The winners of the top prize ($100,000 in cash and AWS credits) will be announced, followed by a reception. Attendance is free, but registration is required due to limited space.
For those unable to attend in San Jose, you can also register to view the event online starting at 6:30 PM Pacific time. We’ll be active on Twitter using the hashtag #awschallenge.
Booshaka
Based in Fremont, California, Booshaka states:
“We focus on fan engagement. By merging the social graph, social actions, and game mechanics, we help brands turn their fans into brand evangelists. We simplify relationship marketing by decoding large volumes of social data and offering user-friendly software-as-a-service solutions.”
Deputy.com
Hailing from Sydney, Australia, Deputy.com provides an online business management solution targeting HR departments:
“Deputy.com is a robust online and mobile platform that engages all staff, fosters a positive culture, and drives business growth. With a suite of integrated applications, Deputy ensures management has the information necessary for strategic decision-making.”
Fantasy Shopper
Fantasy Shopper, a social shopping game from Exeter in the UK, shares:
“We aim to make social gaming relevant by utilizing real-world data to deliver tangible value. Our goal is to centralize, socialize, and gamify online shopping for a more engaging experience.”
FlixLab
Based in Palo Alto, California, FlixLab notes:
“Smartphones are now the preferred cameras for many, yet over 90% of the videos captured remain unshared. FlixLab allows users to effortlessly transform raw videos and photos into engaging stories, enabling sharing with friends.”
Getaround
From San Francisco, Getaround explains:
“It’s a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace that allows car owners to rent their vehicles to qualified drivers by the hour, day, or week. We manage payments and provide 24/7 roadside assistance, complete with insurance from Berkshire Hathaway.”
Intervention Insights
Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Intervention Insights emphasizes:
“The uniqueness of each patient and their disease has led to the development of numerous targeted therapies. Our OncInsights service combines advanced bioinformatics with disease information, offering oncologists detailed insights into an individual’s tumor.”
Localytics
Representing Cambridge, Massachusetts, Localytics states:
“We offer a real-time mobile application analytics service that empowers app developers with tools to analyze usage and engagement metrics. Our service supports large enterprise publishers, ensuring they meet their sophisticated analytics needs.”
Regional Semi-Finalists:
Additionally, we recognize strong contenders as regional semi-finalists in the AWS Start-Up Challenge 2011. These start-ups have distinguished themselves in the competitive field. For more insights, check out this other blog post to stay engaged.
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