Local entries in finals of Innovate Illinois
Two local businesses are preparing for the finals of the Innovate Illinois competition next month.
Balanced IT Solutions and Universal Die Cast were among the 12 chosen to
compete in the finals. Six are part of an early, prerevenue group, and
the six others are part of a later, revenue-producing category.
The finals will be Nov. 10 in Chicago. This is the fifth year of the competition, which has contributed $450,000 in cash and prizes to 29 companies to help them continue their job-creating innovations. Last year, more than 130 companies applied for the competition.
Both businesses participated in the local Stateline FastPitch Competition, which celebrates entrepreneurship by rewarding the best three-minute business pitches. They are also clients of the Rock River Valley Entrepreneurship Center. Harold Winebaugh with Universal Die Cast is representing the Univ-Lok, a safer, more effective drum lock for metal and plastic 55-gallon drums. Kerry Frank with Balanced IT Solutions will represent Comply 365, a compliance software that helps regulated industries maintain their compliance standards through an automated process.