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RULES FOR
STARTUP SHOWCASE + COMPETITION
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
Now in its second year, eMerge Americas (http://www.emergeamericas.org) is a technology and
innovation event planned for May 1-5 2015 in Miami, Florida. An integral part of this event is the
Startup Showcase, featuring the most desirable Early and Later Stage Companies from North
America, South America and Europe. From the large pool of applicants, 125 have been invited to
participate in the Showcase, culminating in a pitch competition presenting 10 Later-Stage, 10 EarlyStage, and 5 University track Finalists.
We are inviting a selected group Judges to participate in this event, choosing the Finalists in each
track from the selected Showcase participants, and ultimately naming the winning company in each
track. Winners will receive $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000 respectively in the form of a cash equity
investment coming from directly accredited and renowned Judges invited specially for this event.
In order to qualify as a Finalist, these are the rules and conditions:
1.
Each Judge will commit to invest $10,000 from personal funds in the winning company. 10
Judges for the Later Stage and 5 Judges for the Early Stage. Miami Innovation Fund will be
providing the judges and making the investment in the University Track.
2.
Investment vehicle will be through a standard open-sourced SAFE (“Simple Agreement for
Future Equity”) originated by Y-Combinator, and slightly modified by our counsel. The
discount rate for the Later Stage will be 15%, Early Stage 25%, and University track 30%.
The document can be downloaded for review at http://emergeamericas.org/startupsshowcase2015/.
3.
The acceptance of the terms and conditions of the SAFE investment document as well as the
investment by the Judges is a condition for consideration and selection as a Finalist. You
may opt-out from taking this investment, but this may affect your eligibility to be selected as
a finalist.
4.
Additionally, in consideration for selection as a Finalist, company must be prepared to
upload to Gust the following documents: i) Executive Summary; ii) Investor Deck; and iii)
detailed Financial Projections.
5.
If selected as a Finalist, company must be prepared to pitch in the final round on May 5th.
6.
You are not obligated to take the investment from the judges. However, you are required to
let us know that you are opting-out as this may affect your eligibility as a finalist. We are
selecting renowned judges including successful entrepreneurs and well-known investors
that provide a validation to the winning company which goes beyond the actual monetary
investment, and which will add value to any company’s cap table. The list of judges will be
published in our website, so please check often.
7.
The aggregate amount to be invested by the Judges totals $100,000 for the Later-Stage
track, $50,000 for the Early-Stage track, and $25,000 for the University Track.
8.
Gust (http://www.gust.com) has been selected as the platform for the submission of plans
for consideration for selection to the Showcase, and as depository for the documents related
to the selection of the Finalists. Please note that your participation in the eMerge Americas
is governed by the Terms of Service you agreed to when submitting your application into
the Gust platform. You may review the terms again at https://gust.com/tos.
9.
Different Judges may be asked to review the companies at each of three levels: i) the
Showcase companies selected and invited to participate in each track from the pool of
applicants; ii) finalists invited to pitch before the judge panel; and iii) the final winners.
10.
Judges will be provided access to the company’s submitted documents and are also
encouraged to meet with the Showcase companies on May 4th on the floor of the Showcase.
Finalists will be chosen and announced at the end of the day on May 4th.
11.
Pitches by the Finalists are planned for the afternoon of May 5th. The winner will be
announced at the awards ceremony, planned for the end of the day.
12.
We expect significant attendance during both days of the event as well as extensive media
coverage, particularly from our partners NBC Universal. Participating companies should
plan to keep their tables manned at all times, and treat all inquiries with the utmost
professionalism.
13.
Training sessions are being offered to the participating companies as part of being selected
a Startup Showcase company. These sessions are optional, free of charge, and available via
web during the preceding weeks to the event. The training will culminate with a bootcamp
to be offered on May 3rd. Details will be made available in the Startup Showcase page at
http://emergeamericas.org/startups-showcase2015/.
14.
Different networking events for the participating Showcase companies are planned for May
3rd at Lincoln Boulevard, and May 4th at the New World Center. You are encouraged to
attend.
Last year’s winners included Modernizing Medicine (www.modmed.com) and Hair Construction
(www.hairconstruction.co). The event was widely covered by the regional, national and
international press, and will surely provide exposure to the winning companies.
Please let us know if you have any questions by writing to us at showcase@emergeamericas.org.
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