ABA Expo Startup Technology Pitch Showcase Set For August 26

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Aug. 22, 2016 - PRLog -- The Alpharetta Business Association (ABA) will hold their 2nd Annual Startup Technology Pitch Showcase on Friday, August 26 in conjunction with the 2016 Alpharetta Business Expo. This Startup Showcase features some of Alpharetta's most promising startups exhibiting their technologies and showcasing their companies.

Before the ABA Business Expo opens at 10:30 A.M., all Startup Showcase participants will pitch publicly to a panel of veteran entrepreneurs at 9:00 A.M.  Expo attendees are encouraged to come early, prior to the Expo opening, to see this free event.  After the Expo doors open at 10:30 A.M., these same start-ups will be exhibiting during the Expo to demonstrate their technologies and make connections with the wider business community.

"One reason Alpharetta can claim status as the 'Technology City of the South' rests with a burgeoning ecosystem of tech startups," said John Ray, Chairman of the Alpharetta Business Expo and Owner of Ray Business Advisors / BookKeeping Express. "This year's lineup of participants offers a neat cross-section of that startup activity. Last year's Showcase was a success in not only giving participating startups a venue to tell their story, but also helping them make valuable connections in the Alpharetta business community. The Alpharetta Business Association is delighted to help foster such connections through this event."

The Startup Technology Participants are:

• AdCore Local - AdCore Local is a web and app platform for local advertisers and local media retailers where advertising for small-to-medium-businesses can be planned and purchased directly without advertising sales people generating sales leads.
• Authentity - Authentity offers a conversation & reporting tool that leads people through a face-to-face conversation in 30 minutes or less. Their platform drives employee engagement, lifts actionable insight to leaders faster, empowers the voice of the customer, and brings agility as organizations scale.
• Cause Local – Cause Local is a software platform which connects people's core causes to business brands, products and services, helping those businesses facilitate targeted, effective local promotions which both improve sales and build brand impact.
• IllumaVISION – IllumaVISION has developed the world's first hands-free dental operatory lamp, which automatically points light where needed, is germ-free, and reduces repetitive stress injuries to dentists.
• Project of Things - Project of Things, Inc. is a project management practice for the Internet of Things, industrial automation and asset lifecycle management solutions.
• Voterworkz - Voterworkz provides an easier way to run for political office by creating a uniquely scored, accurate, comprehensive voter list for a fraction of the price of other options, while providing more actionable insight.  For any candidate running for local, county or state office, Voterworkz improves effectiveness, saving money on mailers and focusing walking campaign time with the right voters.
• Whitby Handbags - Whitby Handbags is a socially conscious luxury accessories line devoted to the abolishment of modern-day slavery and human trafficking through the funding of girls' and boys' educations around the world.

The panelists for the ABA Startup Technology Pitch Showcase are:

• Dave Bernard – Dave is a serial entrepreneur, technologist, inventor, and investor living in Atlanta, Georgia. An expert in new and emerging technologies, Dave has co-founded several companies, including The Intellection Group (TIG), an innovative technology consulting group that was recognized as one of Georgia's top 40 most innovative companies in 2007. TIG specializes in building complex award-winning software-as-a-service (SaaS) systems for both commercial and government entities in North America, Europe, and Africa. Dave has also co-founded a company providing technology solutions to veteran services organizations. Dave mentors and serves on the boards of several other early stage technology companies. He is also Chairman of the SE Projects and Programs Committee for Business Executives for National Security (BENS).

• Brock Kolls – As an entrepreneur and inventor, Brock's experience includes development of wireless cashless payment technology for the vending industry through USA Technologies.  He subsequently led the electronic engineering team which developed Coca-Cola's Freestyle fountain dispenser, after which he led the company's open innovation program.  Brock's latest project is Gr8BigIdeas which has developed TechConnectHub.com, an innovator's community which seeks to overcome innovation challenges in large companies by matchmaking corporate innovation needs with tech community solutions in an online platform. He also leads corporate innovation at TechSquare Labs serving as Chief Open Innovator.

• David Nethero – David was a Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Intimacy Specialty Stores; during his tenure, this specialty lingerie retailer grew into a chain of $38 million in sales and 18 stores in major markets prior to a successful sale of the company. David is now President of Nethero Management Company which is actively involved in high potential new startups. In addition, he serves as Managing Director at Golden Seeds, the largest angel investor network in the United States. David authored Mental Mastery of Chemotherapy (www.yourmentalmastery.com) after undergoing a six-month chemotherapy treatment.  The book is designed to help chemo patients develop and maintain positive mental imagery through the use of meditation.

The Startup Technology Showcase pitch event will begin at 9:00 A.M. After the ribbon cutting with Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle at 10:15, the Expo itself will open its doors and remain open until 3:00 P.M. All events are free to the public.

About the Alpharetta Business Association

The Alpharetta Business Association is a thriving non-profit association dedicated to providing social networking opportunities and informative programming through monthly breakfast networking meetings, monthly membership meetings, an annual Business Expo, the Alpharetta Farmer's Market, the Mayor's State of the City address, and various other events for the business community.