Bryan Parker Hosts Oakland Tech Competition In May

Bryan Parker, who’s running for Mayor of Oakland, is doubling-down on his tech-oriented message, and seeking the best and brightest Oakland and East Bay-based startups to participate in the first-ever Oaktown Tech Start-Up Competition. Finalists will be eligible for prizes and winners will gain access to top VCs.

With the goal of establishing Oakland as a viable tech hub, Mr. Parker has partnered with Vator, a vibrant social network, event and news platform for the modern entrepreneur to bring Splash, the premier startup event and competition to Oakland in Jack London Square on May 6th and 7th.

“Oakland has the emerging talent and infrastructure to become a major spoke in the tech hub and needs the right leadership to support that ecosystem, which can become an economic driver for the city. Economic development is a major component in our battle for a safer Oakland, and I am starting that engagement today” says Bryan Parker.

The top five finalists in the Oaktown Tech Start-Up Competition will qualify to present on stage during Vator Splash Oakland. Three finalists also receive a free demo table during the conference to present their services and products to the 1,000-plus attendees in the entrepreneur and investor community.

Bryan Parker also welcomes high-school students to participate in the competition to win internships, which he says, “is consistent with my desire to tie building educational skills to employment. We are sending a message to the country: ‘Oakland is open for business.’

Vator founder Bambi Francisco says, “We believe that Oakland is blossoming as a tech hub and believe that Splash will be an important catalyst for this. We’re grateful for Bryan Parker’s support of the Oakland Tech Startup Competition and excited to showcase the nationally recognized talent emerging from Oakland and the East Bay.”

Naveen Jain, founder and CEO of Sparkart says, “As a tech company CEO and investor I am inspired to see a leader who thinks broadly and “gets” tech and the power it has to stimulate an economy. Bryan has a deep understanding of not only how to build a technology ecosystem which will produce jobs and add to the tax base in Oakland, but also understand that it must be inclusive and that we must invest in education to make it sustainable.”

The winners receives sit-down meetings with at least five VCs, including Javelin Venture Partners, plus $30,000 in-kind prizes, such as an Apple iPad Mini for two team members, one-year subscription to Rackspace, a two-hour consultation with KPMG, $10,000 worth of free processing fees, courtesy of Braintree, a video of their 3-minute presentation on stage, a profile on VatorNews, and much more.

The deadline for applications is April 1. It is free to enter and free for the top five finalists to present. Interested parties can apply online at Vator Splash Oakland.