News Summary
South Carolina has been recognized as an innovation hub as two startups, PulManage and Querri, are selected as finalists in the Sloss Tech Pitch Competition. This event, part of the inaugural Sloss Tech conference, offers a total prize pool of $75,000 to promote burgeoning tech companies in the Southeast. PulManage focuses on healthtech, while Querri specializes in AI solutions. The competition is designed to foster growth in young, emerging tech companies and highlights the entrepreneurial spirit within local communities.
South Carolina has emerged as a hub for innovation with two startups selected as finalists in the Sloss Tech Pitch Competition, which offers a total prize pool of $75,000. The competition is set to take place during the inaugural Sloss Tech conference from June 25-27, and it aims to highlight and support burgeoning tech companies within the southeastern United States.
The two finalists, PulManage from Columbia and Querri from Mount Pleasant, represent different categories: PulManage competes in the healthtech and biotech sector, while Querri is in the emerging tech category. The Sloss Tech competition is designed to encourage innovative ideas in four primary technology sectors, including agtech and foodtech as well as mobility and transportation technology.
A grand prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the best overall startup. Additionally, participants will have the chance to win a $10,000 People’s Choice Award and three $5,000 category winner prizes. All 16 companies presenting during the event will receive various types of support, which include two complimentary general admission badges for Sloss Tech 2025, and a $250 travel stipend to facilitate their attendance.
Each participating startup has launched its product or service no earlier than January 2020 and must not have raised more than $5 million in combined funding to qualify for these prestigious spotlights. This stipulation aims to ensure that the competition focuses on young, emerging companies poised for growth.
PulManage, founded by Amanda Clark, is positioned within a notable $1.3 billion market. The company specializes in providing high-quality pulmonary diagnostics intended for use in research and clinical trials. This service is expected to play a significant role in advancing studies related to lung health.
On the other hand, Querri, founded by Dave Ingram, focuses on delivering artificial intelligence solutions that enable non-technical teams to interpret and analyze data effortlessly via natural language processing. This innovation simplifies data accessibility and understanding, fostering more informed decision-making.
The Sloss Tech Pitch Competition is organized by TechBirmingham, an organization dedicated to fostering innovation and economic growth in the Southeast. The competition highlights the entrepreneurial spirit alive within local communities and underscores the potential for job growth generated by burgeoning technology sectors.
By fostering economic development in the tech sector, the Sloss Tech Pitch Competition serves as a platform for startups to showcase their unique offerings, potentially reshaping their respective fields. The event not only promotes local innovation but also encourages networking opportunities among entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.
The selection of PulManage and Querri as finalists showcases the thriving business ecosystem in South Carolina, emphasizing the importance of supporting startups that can reshape industries and create job opportunities. As the pitch competition approaches, the excitement within the local tech community is palpable, as these startups prepare to present their visions for the future in front of a supportive audience eager to witness the next wave of technological advancements.
The inaugural Sloss Tech conference promises to be a landmark event, engaging a variety of stakeholders to advance the conversation on innovation within the Southeast and providing a significant economic boost to the participating regions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Columbia Business Report: 2025 Women of Influence Honorees
- Wikipedia: Women in Business
- GSA Business Report: 2025 Women of Influence Honorees
- Google Search: Women in Technology
- South Carolina Lawyers Weekly: Influential Women of Law
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Startup
- WLTX: South Carolina NAACP Women Influence Luncheon 2025
- Google News: Women Entrepreneurs South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
