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Help is Here For Early-Stage Cos. Who Apply Themselves

A number of organizations are seeking early-stage companies to recognize or provide with resources to further their entrepreneurial efforts.

Connect, which runs San Diego’s oldest accelerator for startups, is accepting applications for its Most Innovative Product Awards program through July 23. The annual showcase, this year slated for Nov. 29, recognizes products launched within the last two years that Connect considers groundbreaking and highlights local innovative luminaries with induction into the organization’s Hall of Fame.

Products eligible for this year’s awards program must have been introduced after Jan. 1, 2016 and since then have generated sales revenue. Free mobile apps and life science products, however, are excluded from the latter requirement.

Applications are at connect.org.

The deadline is also approaching for companies interested in being considered for the John G. Watson Quick Pitch competition. This year the prize money totals $75,000. The event is being hosted jointly by the San Diego Venture Group, local chapter of Tech Coast Angels and Cox Business, the Cox Communications arm that sells voice, video and data services to commercial customers. Ten companies will be selected to pitch before an audience whose votes will decide the top three companies, each of which will receive a cut of the cash. For the first time, the judging panel will also identify what its members consider to be the most promising company.

Applications, due Aug. 31, are at quickpitchsd.com.

A number of incubators for specific segments of the startup ecosystem are recruiting for their next cohorts.

The newest, ThinkTank Innovation, is accepting applications for its fall class, slated to start Oct. 1. Entrepreneurs worldwide are invited to apply, but must relocate to San Diego for the 90-day program. There is no cost to participate. Companies that ThinkTank selects will get office space for up to three people, access to mentors and be considered for funding from a newly launched venture capital fund associated with the program. Following the program, companies will also be considered for a subsequent 24-month program. The organization, based at WeWork in UTC, also runs an incubator for veterans.

ThinkTank recently hired Paul Turino, who founded Citi Ventures, the venture arm of Citigroup, as its chief innovation officer. The organization’s executive chairman is Mark Bernier.

Learn more at incubator.thinktanksd.org.

Another newcomer to the incubator scene, Ad Astra Ventures, is accepting applications from women-run startups for its second cohort. The organization is looking for life science companies for this class. Its first featured three founders. Companies that are accepted will go through a 12-week program and are guaranteed to receive funding. Applicants must have proof of concept and defensible intellectual property to be eligible for the program. Ad Astra is run by co-founders Allison Long Pettine, Silvia Mah and Vidya Dinamani.

Applications are due Aug. 3 at adastra.ventures.

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