Ft. Collins, Durango, and Colorado Springs teams win Go Code challenge

Denver, Colorado, May 12, 2014 - On May 9th, Colorado announced the inaugural winners of the Go Code challenge.

Taking home first place and a $25,000 contract with the state was Fort Collins startup Beagle.

Simply provide an address and Beagle will fetch a business fitness score based on dozens of sources. Best delivered as an embeddable widget designed for real estate and MLS websites, Beagle provides a simple tool that lets you explore the data behind the numbers, helping you find your business' next home. Utilizing customizable weights and evolving data sets, Beagle scores get better with use.

Second place and a $15,000 contract went to Durango coders BizLink Colorado.

BizLink Colorado allows business owners to build their B2B network and show how they fit into the Colorado business community. These connections help to build a business’s reputation and make it easier for established businesses to be found. It is also a tool for new and expanding businesses to source partners. Other sites like LinkedIn have created networks with person to person connections, and much of the internet is focused on B2C relationships such as consumer facing directories. We are the first site we’ve found to build B2B connections.

Finally, Colorado Springs company Local Sage took home third place and a $10,000 contract.

We help business owners determine the best location for their businesses. The LocalSage process is unique and personal, making the complicated process of site selection easy and fun. Our app provides access to complex and powerful data without sacrificing usability or clarity.

"I know everyone involved in the Go Code challenge couldn’t help but be impressed by the innovation and dedication by each these teams," Secretary of State Scott Gessler said. "I’m excited to see how the winning teams’ products improve our
business climate while the other teams’ businesses thrive through the vast openness of our public data."

Go Code Colorado is the first competition of its kind in the United States that uses public data to build business tools and grow commerce. The challenge began March 19 as teams of innovators developed software applications at aimed  benefiting Colorado’s business environment. The winning teams will have their products publicly available.

"This challenge helped connect the public sector with the talent and opportunity of the technology community," said Go Code judge and Colorado Technology Association CEO Erik Mitisek. "I hope this effort stimulates future cooperation to unleash the potential of our homegrown entrepreneurs."

About Go Code Colorado

Go Code Colorado is an apps challenge designed to make public data more accessible and user-friendly. Teams of developers and entrepreneurs across the state will compete to solve business problems and grow our economy, by building apps that will help Colorado companies thrive. Build apps. Build business. Build Colorado.