Sixteen local start-up companies competed Monday afternoon for one of four top spots to win over $7,000 in cash prizes for their company.
Investors and entrepreneurs attended the 4th Annual ShootOut presented by Gainesville Area Innovation Network (GAIN) at the Harn Museum at the University of Florida. Participants dressed in business casual attire or cowboy boots and blue jeans to adhere to the ShootOut theme.
"They're shooting it out," Executive Director Lee May said, explaining GAIN's concept. "Where companies are vying to be the top gun."
The competing companies were split at specific times into four rooms: Saddle Up, Make A Mash, On The Shoot, and Head 'Em Up. Each company presented their idea to a board of judges, according to GAIN Ambassador Jerry Declasse.
The winners then presented their pitch during the final round to all the attendees. The top four companies were awarded cash prizes.
"[GAIN is] a very valuable organization in the sense that it's good networking for investors and companies," Declasse said.
<i>Lee May, executive director of GAIN, listens to attendees of the networking event. </i>
<i>On Monday, October 6, 2014, Gainesville Area Innovation Network (GAIN) hosted it's fourth annual ShootOut in the Harn Museum at the University of Florida to connect investors with start-up companies. </i>
<i>Jerry Declasse, 19, a junior double majoring in business administration and psychology at UF attends the Gain ShootOut. </i>
<i>Mary Ohlfs, president of LifeNet Systems Inc., speaks to head of development of OwnForce about start-up companies in Gainesville.</i>