By Robert Evatt, World Staff Writer
Copyright © 2013, World Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved
Not only do Oklahoma companies have a presence at the South By Southwest Interactive Festival, they’re sharing in $10,000 in prize money.
Tulsa-based SpectrumFX, a company that produces a fire extinguisher called Firebane that works on lithium-ion batteries, claimed the $5,000 top prize late Monday as the best elevator pitch at the Buffalo Lounge, a collaborative effort to spotlight Oklahoma companies and innovators at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Ross Faith, vice president for business development at Spectrum FX, said he was pleasantly surprised by the award. Faith noted the process of planning for the pitch was beneficial for his business.
“I’ve worked a lot with i2E (Inc.) over the years, which helped me in preparing for the competition,” Faith said. “There were a lot of great Oklahoma companies here in Austin. We’re building a great interactive community in Oklahoma.”
Statewide organization i2E Inc. provides support for new and growing tech companies in Tulsa and for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.
The two $2,500 prizes went to ICEdot, a Tulsa-based maker of emergency ID and notification service for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts, including a new crash sensor that uses Bluetooth technology to notify emergency personnel of the user’s location, and ReTenant LLC, a Tulsa-based maker of mobile applications for apartment complexes used by management and tenants to increase tenant retention and enhance services.
Participants were tasked with making 90-second “elevator pitches” for their products and services.
This year Buffalo Lounge was co-sponsored by i2E Inc. The lounge was set up at the 512 Bar in Austin.
Buffalo Lounge will also promote Oklahoma-oriented film and music events as the festival continues. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the Oklahoma Film & Music Office and The Idea Collective established Buffalo Lounge in 2010.
