Winners announced in local Google Startup contest

Sponsors of Cape Girardeau's first Google Startup Weekend announced winners of the pitch competition Monday.

The event, which was at the co-working community and incubator Codefi on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, brought together about 50 people who formed teams to pitch ideas for new products to a judges' panel of successful entrepreneurs.

A device that would use laser technology to provide a clearly marked landing area for emergency helicopters, Landing Zone Acquisition/Designation, or LZAD, won first place, according to a news release from Codefi.

Go! Run, an application designed to connect social runners with running partners or groups, finished second.

Movers and Shakers, a web community designed to connect women through online book clubs, video and forums, finished third.

Fourteen ideas were pitched over the weekend.

Winners receive packages that include a membership from Codefi, advertising services from Digital Refresh and a chance to pitch their idea before the 1ST50K startup competition committee, which awards up to $50,000 in grants, pro-bono business services and access to successful entrepreneurs to winners of a separate, recently developed multilevel startup competition.

Codefi plans another Google Startup Weekend in September, according to the release. Local sponsors for this past weekend's event were Codefi, The Bank of Missouri, Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce, Creative Edge, Digital Refresh and Starbucks.

Pertinent address:

339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO