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We always say to our startups: our job is to make the judges work of choosing winners on Demo Day impossible. No ones really sure whether that quote originated from Kesia or Devin (just to be clear–my vote is with Kesia), but we do know it sums up the time and effort, sweat and tears, each track chair and mentor puts into priming every one of our startups for Demo Day.

Every year, the competition gets tighter and the judges deliberations get longer. This year, weve gathered a powerhouse team to evaluate the . Judges include investors, entrepreneurs, political leaders, and educators from top-tier organizations like Google, Golden Seeds, First Round Capital, Deloitte, the Manhattan Borough Presidents Office, and much more.

Together, theyll consider how developed each teams product/service is, their pathway to long-term sustainability, and their go-to-market strategy. There are also specific requirements for each of the four categories, so weve assembled four separate panels of experts–one for each track–to evaluate the 18 teams.

The Kaylie Hardware Prize was developed and sponsored by CCNY Alum Harvey Kaylie, Founder of Mini-Circuits. This category celebrates all things hardware, and qualified startups are building physical products that may or may not include a connected (smart) technology. This year, we chose judges with a vast knowledge of engineering. Some lead incubators and entrepreneurship programs throughout the city with a hardware-focus, and others are hardware startup founders themselves. They include:

• , Director, 2M Cities & Lead, Futureworks Incubator
• , Program Manager, eLab NYC
• , Director of Student Entrepreneurship & Engineering Professor, CCNY
• , CTO & Co-Founder, StrongArm Technologies, Inc.
  

The Zahn Social Impact Prize is developed and sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. This category acts as a catalyst for the spread of social entrepreneurship on campus, and encourages students to develop a global perspective on impact. Startups in this category were challenged to build ventures with a sustainable revenue model, whose primary objective is social change or environmental stewardship. They may pursue either a nonprofit or for-profit model, and the judges are advisors and investors in the social impact, or they lead social impact initiatives at large organizations.

• , Social Impact Strategy Manager, Deloitte
• , Program Director, West Harlem Development Corporation
• , Co-Founder, New York on Tech
• , Senior Development Manager, Kiva.org

The Standard Chartered Women + Tech4NYC Prize is sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank as part of the Women in Technology Incubator at the Zahn Center. This year, the category celebrates the role of women in building Silicon Alley. Startups were challenged to leverage technology to address challenges in New York City. By nature, many of the startups in this category have a social impact mission at their core, and may consider nonprofit status in the future. This year's panel of judges is diverse in that it is made up of a politician, an entrepreneur, and an investor, but they are all New Yorkers dedicated to keeping their city on the cutting edge.

• , Deputy Borough President, Office of the Manhattan Borough President
• , CEO & Founder, Vizalytics Technology Incorporated
• , Managing Director, Golden Seeds LLC
• , Assistant Treasurer, Goodyear

The Zahn Technology Prize is also sponsored by the Moxie Foundation. This category celebrates all aspects of technology, in both software and traditional forms. Startups in this category were challenged to develop ventures that use technology to solve problems otherwise untouched. Their products include transformative new apps, web platforms, database tools, e-commerce sites, or a technological device. This year, we chose judges with a vast knowledge of the latest technologies. Some work directly in the tech field, while others have been long-time investors of technology ventures. They include:

• , Open Innovation Partnerships Lead, Verizon
• , Founder, Current Consulting & Fellow, Rubicon Venture Capital
• , VP of Sales, Pica9

Together, these judges will decide the fate of 18 startup teams, and decide the two finalists in each category–who will then pitch again on Wednesday, May 3rd for a chance at first and second place prizes totaling $150,000.

But the judges won't be the only ones that have a say in the winners. YOU can choose the audience choice award winners by voting at Demo Day–May 1st at t¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ. Come out and support CCNY startups that day, and check out what has these judges so excited. More information can be found .