Entrepreneurs in Smart Transportation and Healthcare Win SmartCamp Silicon Valley and Backing from IBM

IBM today named CareCloud and Streetline the co-winners of its Silicon Valley SmartCamp, an event designed to identify and support innovative new technology companies. CareCloud modernizes the workflow in a medical practice to put physicians in touch with each other across multiple points of care, through a cloud computing technology-based solution. Streetline uses sensors that allow citizens to find inexpensive parking fast while helping cities manage their parking resources more efficiently.

CareCloud and Streetline competed with hundreds of start-up companies that are creating new technologies in critical areas such as healthcare, water management and food solutions.

IBM SmartCamps, launched earlier this year, judge the best start-up company in different cities around the globe, rewarding the winners such as CareCloud and Streetline with mentoring, services, access to industry experts, and deeper partnership opportunities from IBM, venture capital firms and industry partners. CareCloud and Streetline are also invited to the upcoming World Finals in Dublin this November to square off against other SmartCamp winners from around the globe to claim the title of "World's Smartest Start-Up."

The events are part of IBM's Global Entrepreneur initiative, designed to bring new technologies to market faster, that tackle some of the world's most pressing issues such as energy efficiency, the environment, and personalized healthcare.

"We feel our solution helps revolutionize the way physicians collaborate and share critical healthcare information," said Albert Santalo, president and chief executive officer, CareCloud. "To be recognized by IBM, right in the heart of Silicon Valley, and to receive all the insights of the brilliant people attending, this has just been an incredible event."

"Over 30 percent of traffic in cities is caused by drivers looking for parking. With our smart sensors, we can dramatically reduce the amount of drivers' time looking for parking, and improve the efficiency of a city's traffic and parking network," said Zia Yusuf, president and chief executive officer, Streetline. "Smarter Cities will change how people work and live. Parking sensors are only the first step, and we look forward to working with IBM to help make cities 'smarter'."

The five Silicon Valley finalists received mentoring from IBM, venture capital firms, academia, and other top industry firms, then gave final presentations to a panel of judges. CareCloud and Streetline were named the winners, after a keynote speech from Ann Winblad from Hummer Winblad, titled, "From Smart to Finish: Building a High Performance Company."

"IBM is playing a crucial role in bringing together the local ecosystem to help entrepreneurs," said Ann Winblad, managing director, Hummer Winblad. "IBM's experience in enterprise solutions gives start-up companies a distinct competitive advantage in bringing their ideas to market faster."

Besides CareCloud and Streetline, the other SmartCamp Silicon Valley finalists included:

Aquacue - turns a standard water meter into a smart-meter within minutes to detect leaks, conserve water and reduce water bills.

CitySourced - an intuitive real-time mobile civic engagement platform that empowers people to identify civic issues like public safety and environmental issues and report them for quick resolution.

iFind Systems - its Wandering Shepherd Smart Tagging Ear Tag technology provides real-time traceability and authentication of livestock.

Under IBM Global Entrepreneur, start-ups receive no-charge access to IBM's software portfolio, through a cloud computing environment. Selected start-ups also have the opportunity to work side-by-side with scientists and technology experts from IBM Research to develop new technologies, as well as a team of dedicated project managers to assist in product development through the global network of 40 IBM Innovation Centers.

The criteria for start-ups to participate are 1) the company must be privately-held; 2) in business less than three years; and 3) actively developing software aligned to IBM's Smarter Planet focus areas.

"After nearly 100 years investing in innovation, IBM knows what entrepreneurs need to succeed in business," said Jim Corgel, general manager of IBM ISV and Developer Relations. "We are arming entrepreneurs with business and technical skills, and providing access to skilled leaders at IBM to fuel innovation that meets the needs of our joint clients."