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Gear Freedom wins Start Up Challenge
Mike Veilleux, left, of Gear Freedom, is congratulated by E.J. Powers, co-chair of the NH Start Up Challenge, upon receiving the 2012 Manchester Young Professionals Network's NH Start Up Challenge held at St. Anselm College Wednesday. (Mark Bolton/Union Leader)
Mike Veilleux, left, of Gear Freedom, is congratulated by Jamie Coughlin, right, and E.J. Powers, center, both co-chairs of the NH Start Up Challenge, upon receiving the 2012 Manchester Young Professionals Network's NH Start Up Challenge held at St. Anselm College Wednesday. (Mark Bolton/Union Leader)
Mike Veilleux, of Gear Freedom, speaks to the audience after receiving the 2012 Manchester Young Professionals Network's NH Start Up Challenge held at St. Anselm College Wednesday. (Mark Bolton/Union Leader)
MANCHESTER — Gear Freedom, a rental company for kayaks, bikes or skis, has taken top prize in Manchester Young Professionals Network's NH Start- Up Challenge.
The winner was chosen from three finalists who made final pitches to judges and an audience Wednesday night.
The other two finalists were GroupTrip and Ustabilize.
GroupTrip is a web application that allows friends to share research, plan trips and track group expenses.
Ustabilize is an interactive game for Apple Internet devices that challenges users to balance in different positions.
The winning prize package consists of up to $25,000 in cash; an Ultimate South by Southwest Experience courtesy of DYN; $20,000 in advertising support from Business NH Magazine; a year's residence at abi Innovation Hub's Accelerator Program. Also included are accounting and legal services.
The field was narrowed from nearly 30 entrepreneurs who applied when seven semi-finalists presented to a panel of judges on May 30.