HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over 400 entrepreneurs, investors and service providers gathered on November 7, 2013, at The Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford for the seventh Annual Connecticut Innovation Summit Awards, a celebration of 76 of the most promising early stage and emerging technology companies in Connecticut identified by the Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) as having the best potential to be a successful enterprise. The 2013 CTC event was produced in concert with the Crossroads Venture Group, the Angel Investor Forum and CURE.

The day began with a "funding fair" at which this year's selected companies met with funders from the State, venture capital firms, banks, and angel groups while also conferring with a variety of resources from professional services firms that have technology practices. At the same time, the "Tech Companies to Watch" were allowed three, 15 minute private conferences with mentors who made themselves available to offer advice on such topics as marketing, IP protection, securing talent and   fund raising. Both the funding fair and the one-on-one mentor meetings were new event activities this year.

As in previous years, the 76 companies, also delivered three-minute elevator pitches to judges in what was called the Pitch Fest. The five best pitches later competed for $10,000 in free services from the New Haven digital marketing firm Digital Surgeons.

The highlight of the day was the tech exhibition where the "Tech Companies to Watch" showed-off their technology with attendees and talked with potential investors and customers.

The day concluded with awards presented to the following companies in the following five categories.

1. Most Promising Technology Product of the Year – MediaCrossing, Inc., Stamford

2. Most Promising Software Product of the Year – Device42, LLC, New Haven

3. Most Promising Internet/New Media Company of the Year – Movable Media, Greenwich

4. Most Promising Life Sciences Product of the Year – Carogen Corporation, Hamden

5. Most Promising Environmental/Green Tech Product of the Year – American Oil Solutions, Bridgeport

A complete list of the 2013 Companies to Watch is posted on CTC's website.

Presenting sponsors of this year's event were: the law firms of Cantor Colburn LLP and Dickstein Shapiro LLP, and First Niagara Bank. Supporting sponsors included: Connecticut Innovations, Digital Surgeons, the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven, the accounting firm of Fiondella, Milone and LaSaracina, Fiserv, Inc, The Hartford, The HB Group, and TriNet HR Corporation.

About CTC

The Connecticut Technology Council is a statewide association of technology-oriented companies and institutions, providing leadership in areas of policy advocacy, community building and assistance for growing companies. Speaking for over 2,000 companies that employ some 200,000 residents, the Connecticut Technology Council seeks to provide a strong and urgent voice in support of the creation of a culture of innovation. This includes working to position Connecticut as a leader in idea creation, workforce preparation, entrepreneurial aptitude, early stage risk capital availability and providing on-going support and mentoring to high potential firms. Online at: www.CT.org.