Final pitches next step for “Saratoga Go!”

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.» With the final pitch next week, it’s crunch time for Saratoga Go!

Saratoga Go! launched in April as the city partnered with IgniteU NY to challenge individuals, small businesses and software companies to create community innovations that will improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and institutions and visitors in any city.

On June 21, from 4 - 7 p.m., 12 presenters at SUNY Empire State College’s Union Avenue campus will pitch their ideas aimed at improving the quality of life within a city, which can take the form of a web app, a mobile app, a data visualization tool or a component of product connected to the internet of things (IOT). Since the April launch, high school students, residents, small businesses and others have come up with innovative ideas on how to create con-

nections between technology and municipalities.

Over the last two months, IgniteU has worked with community sponsors like DAMA and Whiteman Osterman & Hanna to host workshops on data, marketing and customer discovery, among others.

On Wednesday the final workshop dealt with pitching ideas.

“We want to make sure that the people are prepared and ready and know what’s coming for them next week when they pitch in front of our five judges,” said Elyssa Stewart of IgniteU.

Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan will be one of the judges.

“I’m looking forward to hearing about some technology innovations that have perhaps some direct application to the city, but may even be things that other cities, towns and villages might want to adopt,” said Madigan.

Robert Manasier, Maureen Sager, Max Walker and Joe Messia are also scheduled to judge.

“I think it’s created a lot of buzz for the Smart City initiative and civic tech in general,” said Stewart. “I’m excited to see what comes out of it and if the apps that are created or the hardware that’s created is actually implementable and feasible and could be used in Saratoga, the Capital Region, Schenectady, wherever because for the most part civic tech is translatable wherever you go.”

Madigan said she’s looking for some creative, interesting technological innovation ideas as a judge, and hopes to implement some of the ideas once finalized.

“I want to get some publicity on the winning applications and even some good publicity on maybe the ones that are not the top finishers. There could be some really good ideas out there and help them take their ideas forward whether it’s to market, or other towns, villages or municipalities,” said Madigan. “I want to get some exposure on some of these good ideas and I also want some of this technology to come to the city and be implemented.”