Expo will feature hardware competition

SUP-X, a startup expo to be held this spring in Fort Lauderdale, will host the southeast regional competition of AlphaLab Gear’s Hardware Cup, a national startup competition focused on innovative hardware and other products.

The southeast regional bracket of the Hardware Cup competition will be part of SUP-X: The Startup Expo, scheduled for March 6-7 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale-Broward County Convention Center.

“The goal of the Hardware Cup is to find and highlight the most promising hardware startups in the nation,” said Ilana Diamond, managing director at AlphaLab Gear, a technology company accelerator in Pittsburgh.

Any company with a physical product is eligible to apply.

Six teams will be chosen from online applications to give a four-minute pitch in front of Hardware Cup judges at SUP-X. Teams will be judged on commercial viability, team capability and demonstrated commitment.

Regional finalists will receive $3,000, a free one-year Solidworks license, plus other prizes and a chance to win a $50,000 investment from Startbot venture capital at the Hardware Cup National Finals in May.

Startups may apply for the regional Hardware Cup competition at alpha labgear.org/hardwarecup. For additional information, contact Leah Simoncelli at leah@hardwarecup.com.

Organizer Bob Fitts exepcts SUP-X to attract 1,250-1,500 startup and earlystage entrepreneurs, angel and venture-capital investors, and service providers.