History - CodeLaunch

History of CodeLaunch: National Startup Pitch Competition

Past

CodeLaunch is an annual seed accelerator competition between individuals and groups who have software technology startup ideas. The event was founded by Code Authority, a software development company in Frisco, TX in 2012. Since its inception, CodeLaunch has accelerated numerous startup companies and has curated over 1,000 applications from all across the United States and Worldwide. The purpose of the competition is to accelerate the best startups with mission-critical seed services provided by sponsors. There’s no cost nor surrendered equity to participate in the competition and all ideas are protected under an NDA.

Present

From March 1st to June 30th, the public can submit their software ideas through the CodeLaunch website. Each application includes a mutual non-disclosure agreement to protect the idea and applicant. After the June 30th deadline, a vetting and curation process is performed by the leadership team at Code Authority and finalists are selected to pitch their idea to a panel of judges, investors, and attendees at the annual CodeLaunch Startup Expo. The curation process will include criteria that emphasizes: size of the project, potential for competition, subject matter appeal, and business acumen of the applicants. The competition is open to anyone regardless of location as long as they are able to travel to Frisco, Texas, in the event they’re selected to pitch their idea as a finalist.

Future

In the fall of 2019, Code Authority (and CodeLaunch) merged with Dallas-based and national technology consulting company Improving (find out more here). A key strategic element of this merger was the future of CodeLaunch. Improving strongly aligns itself with Conscious Capitalism, a growing movement in American business. As such, it turns out the CodeLaunch model of altruistically providing startups with critical pre-seed services is also highly aligned with Conscious Capitalism and Improving’s cultural identity and core values. We are thrilled to be planning a national (and potentially continental) tour of CodeLaunch, which will begin in the Spring of 2021 and visit at least 4 Improving markets per year, including DFW. Follow our YouTube channel and social media channels to keep up with forthcoming details about the 2021 CodeLaunch tour!

Timeline

2020 CodeLaunch VIII
Comerica Center

Finalists:

AuthentifyArt (San Marcos, CA)
MotoClerk (St. Petersburg, FL)
Durable Alpha (Dallas, TX)
talkien (Moscow, Russia)
CocoTruck (Seoul, South Korea)

Notable:

First event where every finalist received a professional hackathon prior to the event. First event with two international finalists. First event with live / real-time pitch and Q&A from international startup founders.

2019 CodeLaunch VII
Comerica Center

Finalists:

3GStrong (Frisco, TX)
CharaChorder (Dunwoody, GA)
MEU Swipe (Frisco, TX)
MATEREO (Coimbra, Portugal)
Happy Family (Frisco, TX)

Service(s) Won:

3GStrong– 3-Day Professional Hackathon (Improving)
CharaChorder Code Authority)
MEU Swipe – 3-Day Professional Hackathon (Code Authority)

Notable:

First year with three finalists receiving hackathons.
First year hackathons happened prior to event.
First time International category visited and presented in person at CodeLaunch event.

2018 CodeLaunch VI
Dr. Pepper Arena

Finalists:

KidStrong (Frisco, TX)

CountertopSmart (Austin, TX)
RaceIQ (Atlanta, GA)
Sonimark (Lewisville, TX)
Anona (Heber City, UT)
GotSpot (Humble, TX)

Service(s) Won:

KidStrong– 3-Day Professional Hackathon (Code Authority)
CountertopSmart– 3-Day Professional Hackathon (Improving)

Notable:

Added additional software development company hackathon for additional winner (Improving)

2017 CodeLaunch V
Dr. Pepper Arena

Finalists:

Cortex (Denton, TX)
Common Edits (Plano, TX)
EnrichHer (Atlanta, GA)
ClickDitto (Prosper, TX)
HoneyComb (Dallas, TX)
CHDR (Dallas, TX)

Service(s) Won:

3-Day Professional Hackathon Accelerated MVP Services

Notable:

Launched Cortex's 3-day professional product hackathon model

2016 CodeLaunch IV
Dr. Pepper Arena

Finalists:

Park Up Front (Dallas, TX)
ProsRent (McKinney, TX)
Downstream Diesel (Frisco, TX)
StyleRow (Los Angeles, CA)
VirtualVue (Frisco, TX)

Service(s) Won:

Accelerated MVP Services

Notable:

First year at Comerica Center

2015 CodeLaunch III
3001 Dallas Parkway 8th Floor

Finalists:

Key2Close (Boise, ID)
Skrible (Lewisville, TX)
Pyli (Fort Worth, TX)
SalesFlash
A.A.L. (Jackson, MS)

Service(s) Won:

$75,000 in MVP Development Services

Notable:

1st out-of-state winner (Idaho)

2014 CodeLaunch II
NTEC Conference Center

Finalists:

InspireVive (Houston, TX)
eCharts (Weatherford, TX)
Emigo (Dallas, TX)
GS (Tyler, TX)
Texas Divorce Guide (Dallas, TX)

Service(s) Won:

$85,000 in MVP Development Services

Notable:

First Finalist outside of Dallas-Fort Worth

2013 CodeLaunch I
NTEC Conference Center

Finalists:

RentEval (Dallas, TX)
Varsity Quad
Well Being Challenge (Frisco, TX)
Show Ready Services (Fort Worth, TX)
Fluid Pro
Wingman

Service(s) Won:

$125,000 in MVP Development Services

Notable:

RentEval was acquired by a 3rd party in 2014 and was the first CodeLaunch “exit”.

2011-2012 Pre CodeLaunch

Finalists:

JayMed Technology (Irving, TX)

School Office Pro (Richardson, TX)

Notable:

Code Authority incubated the School Office Pro team at it's Parkwood Dr. location for 2 years. We provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in services, infrastructure, mentoring, product development and sales team support during this time. This support helped School Office Pro raise over $400K during and after this period. SOP still exists and is thriving today thanks to CodeLaunch.