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Startups vie for Texas A&M New Ventures Competition prizes. | Image: Texas A&M New Ventures Competition

With a total pool of $380,000, $165,000 in cash and $215,000 in in-kind and investment prizes, this is the largest prize pool yet for the Texas A&M New Ventures Competition (TNVC). This year’s startups include companies from across a wide spectrum of fields including healthcare, IT/software, digital health, transportation and clean energy technology. 

At the May 17 competition, judges will narrow the field of 16 semi-finalists from across Texas down to six finalists. Judges for the finals are Dr. Ashok Gowda, founder and CEO of BioTex; Dave Fox, angel investor and founder of Blue Baker restaurants; Pat Matthews, founder and general partner of Active Capital; William P. Ramey III, founding partner of Ramey & Schwaller, LLP; Jessica Traver, 2017 TNVC winner and CEO of IntuiTap Medical; and Louis A. Raspino, super-angel investor member of the GOOSE Society.

The finalist and elevator pitch cash prizes are as follows: finalists, first place - $50,000; second - $35,000; third - $25,000; fourth - $15,000; fifth - $10,000; sixth - $5,000. Elevator pitch: first - $5,000; second - $3,000; third - $2,000.  Special prize awardees will be chosen by their sponsor, for which all 16 semi-finalists and two alternates are eligible.   

The final judging round begins at 1 p.m. and is open to the public and the media. The finals will take place in the All American Club at Kyle Field.