A lot can happen in two minutes: One could walk a tenth of a mile, brush their teeth, or, in the case of UCI Beall Applied Innovation Wayfinder startup AG Tools, win $60,000 in prize money.
The startup brings big data, analytics, reports and forecasts to the agriculture supply chain, and recently won both the $50,000 first place prize and the $10,000 audience choice prize at the annual John G. Watson Quick Pitch Competition, presented by Tech Coast Angels – San Diego, Connect w/ San Diego Venture Group, Cox Business, the John G. Watson Foundation and PeakSpan Capital.
“The goal of Quick Pitch is to be bigger and better every year, and create momentum beyond the event for our finalists,” Victoria Lakers, Tech Coast Angels – San Diego member and Quick Pitch chair, said in a press release. “This year’s unprecedented performance by AG Tools winning both first prize and the Audience Choice award is a signal of a break-out company in the making.”
Martha Montoya, CEO of AG Tools, was one of just 10 presenters selected from nearly 300 applicants to give a two-minute pitch in front of hundreds of attendees and a panel of judges. In two minutes, Montoya was able to educate the audience on the problems that farmers face and how AG Tools is solving those problems.
“People are starting to understand the gravity of food waste on the supply chain,” said Montoya. “I am so appreciative of the team at Tech Coast Angels who pushed me to make it simple even though it is a complex issue.”
The AG Tools software aggregates real-time data from trusted entities as well as other metrics in an easy-to-use portal, allowing time-strapped workers in the agriculture industry to make informed decisions, like getting the best prices and diverting shipments in emergencies to avoid food waste.
AG Tools plans to put the winnings toward in-house software development and marketing opportunities.
Learn more about AG Tools.
Photo Credit: Drew McGill