A hemp-based alternative to concrete, a remote platform for teaching school children computer science, and an AI tool to synthesize vocal tracks were the winning ideas at this year’s Elevator Pitch Olympics, held Thursday as part of the Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium.

At the event, which closed out the Wisconsin Technology Council’s annual entrepreneurship conference at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, each of fourteen founders had 90 seconds pitch to pitch their business to a panel of five judges representing venture capital firms from across the region.

Judges gave each pitch a score from 1 to 5, held up on flip cards in the style of a diving meet. No money was directly on the line, but the three best pitches would take home a coveted “Rising Star” award, and all competitors would take home the feedback they received on stage from investors who manage millions of dollars in capital.

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