NORCROSS, Ga., April 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Gwinnett Innovation Challenge, www.gwinnettinnovationchallenge.com, a contest designed to encourage and recognize innovative new business ventures with ties to Gwinnett County, announced today the winners of the second annual business plan competition. ContactAtOnce! and Animal Records, LLC were selected from a pool of 35 entries as co-winners of the Gwinnett Innovation Challenge.
In the second year of the business plan contest, some 35 early stage companies submitted entries in the competition. Eight finalists were then selected to present to a panel of judges comprised of investors, entrepreneurs and business executives with expertise in early stage companies. Co-winners ContactAtOnce! and Animal Records were presented with their awards at a ceremony at the Gwinnett Technology Forum on April 17th attended by approximately 150 people. Each winner received a check for $17,500, software products and vouchers for up to $35,000 in services such as accounting, tax, finance, legal, public relations, news release service, printing, launch pad office space and website design. Presenting the awards were Doug Meyer, President of Sage Software, Bill McCargo, Vice President of Scientific Atlanta, and Leland Strange, CEO of Intelligent Systems, all Trailblazer sponsors of the contest.
According to Leland Strange, CEO of Intelligent Systems and one of the organizers of the contest, "The number and quality of this year's participants made for a very strong competition. I know that many of the entrants in the Gwinnett Innovation Challenge - and not just our two winners - will be successful companies that contribute to Gwinnett County for many years to come."
John Hanger, CEO of ContactAtOnce! commented, "ContactAtOnce! is honored to be selected as co-winner of the 2007 Challenge. The Gwinnett Innovation Challenge has quickly become integral to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Gwinnett County and greater Atlanta, benefiting all companies that enter, not just the winners. The sponsors deserve great credit for their investment of time and resources to encourage and reward innovation."
Richard Frost, President of Animal Records, said "Our entire team is honored to have been selected by the members of the Gwinnett Innovation Challenge 2007 panel. It's a privilege for our founder to be living in Gwinnett, a forward-thinking county that cherishes and nourishes the entrepreneurial spirit. This prize will help Animal Records to launch services in the upcoming months and achieve our core goals... better care for animals, peace of mind for pet owners, and increased quality of care from veterinarians."
About the Gwinnett Innovation Challenge
The Gwinnett Innovation Challenge, an annual business plan contest for companies with ties to Gwinnett County, is championed by a number of local leaders with a long history of support for innovation, entrepreneurship and civic service in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Trailblazer sponsors are Scientific Atlanta, Sage Software, Intelligent Systems and the Gwinnett Business Journal. Catalyst sponsors include the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and Gwinnett Innovation Park; and the Innovation Network sponsors include Andersen, Tate & Carr; Carabiner Communications; Day & Associates; Moore Stephens Tiller; Morris, Manning & Martin; PrimeNewswire; TechCFO and WeathersDesign.com. For more information, visit www.gwinnettinnovationchallenge.com.
About Animal Records, LLC
Animal Records is an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system for animals. Animal Records' service consists of a web-based repository of pet medical records that owners can access from anywhere in the world through a web browser using computers, cell phones and / or PDA's. Animal Records helps sick animals get better, faster by ensuring their medical records are available everywhere, all the time, so that veterinarians can immediately provide the right treatment to each pet in all circumstances; thus providing pet owners' with peace of mind.
About ContactAtOnce!
ContactAtOnce! converts online shoppers into ready-to-buy sales prospects. With ContactAtOnce!, online publishers and advertisers can enable presence-aware ads and listings that better convert Web-savvy shoppers into leads. ContactAtOnce! stimulates more leads using visual presence indicators; facilitates better communications using Instant Messaging, click-to-call, VoIP, and live video; and tracks all aspects of performance. www.contactatonce.com.