Judges include Steve Case and top prize is $100,000 investment

COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 09, 2017

What:
CEO Will Zell, of wireless power pioneer Nikola Labs, will be pitching to win a $100,000 investment in his company from former CEO of AOL Steve Case during the Columbus stop along the prestigious Rise of the Rest Startup Bus tour October 13 from 3-6pm at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Rise of the Rest (ROTR) is a nationwide movement to work closely with entrepreneurs in emerging startup ecosystems–the beginning of a widespread, new era for entrepreneurship far beyond the confines of a few coastal cities.

Nikola Labs will be competing along with seven other local startup companies. Each company will have four minutes to pitch followed by a three-minute Q&A session with a panel of judges.

In advance of the ROTR pitch competition, to answer questions about its company and the possibilities with its wireless power technology, Nikola Labs will host a Reddit AMA “Ask Me Anything” interview Tuesday, October 10 from 1-3pm at LINK

Rise of the Rest Columbus

When:
Friday, October 13, 2017 | 3pm Fireside Chat | 4pm Pitch Competition | 6pm Winner Announced

Where:
Columbus Metropolitan Library | Main Library 96 S. Grant Avenue | Columbus, Ohio 43215

Who | Host:
Rise of the Rest powered by Revolution LLC, which includes Steve Case (former AOL CEO) and partners David Hall and J.D. Vance, and the Revolution LLC team

Quote:

“At Nikola Labs, we are working diligently to create a revolutionary wireless power company right here in Columbus, Ohio, where we have abundant talent, a business friendly climate, supportive community and growth opportunities,” said Will Zell, CEO, Nikola Labs. “That the Rise of the Rest has chosen Columbus as a stop along its tour is proof that no longer do tech companies need to be birthed in the Valley to launch into the world. At Nikola, we’re setting out to make Columbus not only the capital of Ohio but the capital of wireless power.”

Rise of the Rest Columbus Background Details:
The Rise of the Rest shines a spotlight on startups and the communities that support them. This year, the tour goes to stops along America’s Heartland with Steve Case and the Revolution team, including new partner J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy. From October 10–17, the tour will be making stops in York, Lancaster, and Harrisburg (PA), Ann Arbor (MI), Indianapolis (IN),

Columbus (OH), and Green Bay and Fox River Valley (WI). During this 2,600-mile trip, Steve will personally invest $500,000 — $100,000 each day in a local startup via a pitch competition.

In Columbus, Rise of the Rest visits startups in one of America’s top Smart Cities. Mary Grove from Google for Entrepreneurs will be joining for a fireside chat at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, followed by a pitch competition and happy hour. Special guests will include Eric Reis, author of Lean Startup, and Amy Nelson, CEO of Venture for America.

To register:
The Fireside Chat (3:00 PM), Pitch Competition (4:00 PM) and Happy Hour (6:00 PM) will all be hosted at the Columbus Metropolitan Library and are free and open to the public. Space is limited so RSVP is required. REGISTER HERE

About Nikola Labs
Nikola Labs is a wireless power company with an advantaged far-field technology that converts radio frequency (RF) energy into usable direct current (DC) power. We are a devoted and capable team that includes world-renowned electrical engineers and distinguished business leaders united by a common goal – advancing wireless power into the marketplace. nikola.tech

Media Contact:
Michelle Moore, media@nikola.tech, +1.614.633.8124