Ateios Systems and Ubicept Selected As First-Round Picks in Inaugural TitletownTech Startup Draft
- murrayg6
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Shelfmark Voted Fan Favorite Following Thousands of Public Votes
GREEN BAY, Wis. (April 24, 2025) – Earlier today, during the TitletownTech Startup Draft broadcast, produced in partnership with LiveX, Ateios Systems and Ubicept were revealed as TitletownTech’s first-round Draft picks, each earning a $1 million investment and $350,000 in Microsoft Azure credits to accelerate their growth.
The broadcast featured appearances from Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith, Governor Tony Evers, Congressman Tony Wied, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Secretary Missy Hughes, Microsoft EVP Jason Zander, and Palantir Head of Defense Mike Gallagher, showcasing the powerful connection between innovation, community, and leadership in Green Bay.
Ateios and Ubicept will also be honored live on stage at the NFL Draft on Saturday, April 26, recognized in-theater during rounds four through seven.
The TitletownTech Startup Draft, hosted in partnership with the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, was originally set to award a $1 million investment and $350,000 in Microsoft Azure credits to a single winner. After seeing the caliber of the finalists, TitletownTech and Microsoft doubled their commitment, awarding two companies and totaling $2.7 million in investments and cloud resources through the initiative.
“The TitletownTech Startup Draft brought together the competitive spirit of sports and the ingenuity of entrepreneurship in a way that only Green Bay could,” said Craig Dickman, Managing Partner, TitletownTech. “We’re proud to welcome these founders into our community of portfolio companies.”
“The TitletownTech Startup Draft exceeded our expectations and our imaginations," said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft. “Throughout this process, seven companies have been competing to win, but they are also forming professional connections and possibly friendships that will inspire their companies and the next generation of American entrepreneurs.”
“The NFL Draft shines a spotlight on the next generation of athletes, and the Startup Draft shines a spotlight on the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy. “Bringing both to Green Bay speaks to the strength of our community and our commitment to building a future filled with talent, innovation, and opportunity.”
The TitletownTech Startup Draft, launched in February, attracted nearly 1,000 applications from startups across almost all 50 states, spanning key industries such as advanced manufacturing, energy, supply chain, digital health, water, and sports. Seven finalists were invited to Green Bay earlier this month for the Startup Combine, where they engaged with more than 30 corporate partners, refined their pitches, and filmed exclusive content to share their stories.
Ateios Systems, based in Newberry, IN, has developed a revolutionary chemistry-agnostic platform for manufacturing battery electrodes without toxic solvents or forever chemicals. The company’s RaiCure™ Electrode Coating technology enables dramatically faster, cleaner, and lower-cost battery production, poised to transform industries reliant on advanced energy storage. Founded by Rajan Kumar, Ateios operates with a fabless manufacturing model, partnering with toll manufacturers to mass produce better components to meet the growing demand for next-generation batteries.
“Being part of the Startup Draft was an energizing experience for us,” said Ateios Founder and CEO Rajan Kumar. “It has reinforced the urgency and demand for better battery manufacturing technologies and given us the platform to share how our innovations can unlock a cleaner, faster energy future. This investment allows us to meet industry needs at scale and accelerate the rollout of our next-generation electrodes.”
“We’re excited to invest in Ateios and support the company’s breakthrough approach to battery manufacturing,” said Jill Enos, Managing Partner, TitletownTech. “The team’s technology addresses urgent global needs around energy storage and sustainability, and it’s exactly the kind of innovation we’re committed to advancing.”
Ubicept, based in Madison, WI, and Cambridge, MA, is redefining computer vision with technology that enables machines to see beyond the limits of traditional cameras, performing in extreme lighting, motion, and environmental conditions. The company’s advanced sensor processing unlocks ultra-low noise, high-speed imaging for robotics, automotive, surveillance, and industrial applications. Co-founded by Sebastian Bauer and Tristan Swedish, Ubicept’s groundbreaking technology stems from years of research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and MIT, positioning them at the forefront of computational imaging innovation.
“The Startup Draft was truly unique. It brought together leaders across industries who immediately understood the impact advanced vision systems can have,” said Sebastian Bauer, Co-Founder and CEO, Ubicept. “This recognition and support give Ubicept the momentum to expand our technology from research labs into real-world applications, where machines need to see and react in ways traditional cameras can’t.”
“Ubicept’s technology is a true leap forward in computer vision,” said Craig Dickman. “The company’s ability to unlock high-performance imaging under real-world conditions is a major advancement, and we’re excited to support their journey as they bring this powerful platform to market.”
In addition to the first-round picks, Shelfmark was named the Startup Draft Fan Favorite. More than 2,000 public votes were cast, with Shelfmark rising to the top.
Shelfmark, based in Pittsburgh, PA, provides AI-powered visual inspection automation for middle-market manufacturers. The company’s platform installs in minutes, requires minimal training data, and empowers manufacturers to dramatically reduce defects, waste, and costs, all without requiring deep systems integration. Founded by Pat O’Donnell, Shelfmark is helping modernize manufacturing floors with accessible, scalable AI solutions.
For more information on the TitletownTech Startup Draft, visit www.TitletownTech.com/TitletownTechStartupDraft.