INDIANAPOLIS, Apr 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Grabach.at, a webcam company that connects people with similar interests so they can chat and share ideas online, received the top prize in the Indianapolis Startup Weekend held April 9 and 10."There are other Web chat programs, but they are based on random meetings and we wanted something that connected people by their interests, hobbies and experiences," said Zach Zuber, a founder of Grabach.at. "That's what makes us unique." Other Grabach.at team members are Anita Perlikiewicz-Homco, Scott BonAmi, Graham Bredemeyer, Gregorey Savieo and Raymond Angel, all from Fort Wayne, Ind., and James Northard of Indianapolis. The team is part of the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center's Student Venture Lab Program in Fort Wayne.
Nearly 80 participants provided 40 ideas for potential startups. From that group 14 teams were formed and 12 teams presented their ideas during the event that was held at the Purdue Technology Center in the Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis.
Other startups included a website by Group Lunch that provided people working in the same facility with the opportunity to order their lunches online with others for a group discount from participating restaurants, and Civic Resound, an idea that encourages concerned citizens and decision makers to meet and discuss ideas and solutions to local issues.
"The continued success of Startup Weekend represents the strength of Indiana's economy and the number of active entrepreneurs we have in our state," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation, which manages the Purdue Research Park.
The program, which is part of a global movement, typically results in the creation of several new businesses.
"I am always amazed at the quality of the startups and the entrepreneurs who put everything on the line to found their own company," said event co-organizer Lorraine Ball. "This program is the best we've had to date, and I expect that the energy and success generated over this weekend will continue to spread throughout the Indianapolis business community." The event was made possible with support from the following sponsors: Develop Indy; Ice Miller; Roundpeg; SmallBox; 21st Century Fund; Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, McNett & Henry; Purdue Research Park; Holiday Inn Express; Firebelly; Yats; Verge; Leah & Steven Shattuck; and Formstack.