This week, Digiday–together with Hilton and its agency, iCrossing– sifted through numerous entrants to our inaugural Startup Challenge. Now, we are proud to announce the six semifinalists who will be pitching their technology to Hilton at our Platform Summit in Half Moon Bay, Calif., next week.
Each semifinalist was chosen because their technology offers the hotelier a unique way to connect with customers along their paths to purchase – from dreaming to planning, booking to check-in, in the execution of follow up and loyalty programs, or anywhere in between. Semifinalists were required to be pre-series A funded and should have read through this Q&A with Joshua Sloser, vp of digital marketing and eCommerce at Hilton Worldwide.
Semifinalists will pitch their ideas on Thursday and Friday, when a winner will be selected for a potential beta test with Hilton. Here are the contenders, in their own words:
Zuppler: A global mobile and web food ordering platform that provides the first and only white labeled solution that allows hungry customers to order from their favorite restaurant.
CrowdFlik: The mobile video app that uploads and synchronizes mobile phone video enabling users to easily create and share custom edits using the best scenes and angles. From birthday parties to concerts to sporting events to vacations – CrowdFlik is the easiest way to create and share custom videos of any length.
TV On The Go: A television on demand and live TV conduit to the mobile & desktop user. TV On The Go is a mobile media development company offering a cloud based media serving platform for mobile content plus ads.
uVore: A mobile platform that allows customers to order, pay for and rate their meals at restaurants using their smartphones.
Movable Media: The author channel platform, providing targeted audiences to brands through influential authors, content and incentives. Movable Media’s authors have moved millions of their readers to branded content sites, including Intel, MasterCard, Pitney Bowes, and Williams Sonoma.
DigitalGenius: An Artificial Intelligence platform designed for brands. Its proprietary AI is able to fully automate human-like conversations with customers, audience and employees, while maintaining the brand’s identity and personal touch.
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