Five finalists picked for Seacoast Start-Up Competition

Popzup, Trigger Devil, Hive Battery, GeoQuiz and Awato to vie in Rochester event

Five finalists have been chosen to compete in the Nov. 2 Seacoast Start-Up Competition, sponsored by the Rochester Economic Development Department.

According to Rochester Economic Development Specialist Jennifer Marsh, 19 startups applied to take part in the competition. The five finalists are:

 • Popzup, which is developing a line of non-GMO and gluten-free popcorn products.

 • Trigger Devil, which makes trigger stops for video game controllers.

 • Hive Battery, which is working on improving the manufacturing process of lithium ion batteries, with the goal of reducing their cost.

 • GeoQuiz, an app that aims to engage family and friends during travel.

 • Awato, an online platform that automates academic and career counseling for colleges.

The competition gives new businesses a chance to compete for cash and in-kind prizes during the “Shark Tank”-style public forum, and to get feedback from experienced business professionals.

The fourth annual competition runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the Strafford Room of the Frisbie Memorial Hospital conference center, located 11 Whitehall Rd., Rochester.

For more information, visit seacoastnhstartup.com.