AUTOTECH'S GOT TALENT
10 companies. 10 weeks. Only one winner.
YOU HELPED TO DECIDE
To coincide with the launch of Automotive Ventures’ new venture capital fund, we offered the winning company a $100,000 investment from Automotive Ventures Fund I.
The Contestants' Pitches
Pitch #1: One Auction View
Pitch #2: Selly Automotive
Pitch #3: Bank My Bike
Pitch #4: TruckTractorTrailer.com
Pitch #5: Cognition Digital
Pitch #6: ADAPT
Pitch #7: Lotpop
Pitch #8: Aucto
Pitch #9: Shyft Auto
Pitch #10: Insignia Group
MEET OUR JUDGES
HAL LOGAN
"I’m excited to be a judge because I don’t think there’s ever been a better time for innovators to have a major impact on an industry as large and important as the automobile business."
For those of us in the automotive industry who have been around the block a time or two, we all know the 'standouts' do indeed stand out. When it came time to discuss who should comprise the AutoTech's Got Talent judges panel, the debate was easier than we thought. In fact, there was no debate at all.
Hal Logan was one of the first judges who came to mind.
An automotive industry leader, innovator, and inspirer, Hal's storied automotive career includes roles as President and CEO of Manheim Interactive, a subsidiary of Manheim, Inc.; CEO of Vicinity Inc., a company specializing in Yellow Pages information, maps, and driving directions for Yahoo!, Excite, and InfoSeek; and CEO of BuyBook Technologies, acquired by AutoTrader in 2014.
Hal has long been a champion of technology and its ability to transform the automotive industry for both buyers and sellers. Today, he is Dealer Principal at BMW of Fairfield in Northern California and he proudly serves on several Boards of Directors, including LeafGroup and RepairPal (as a member), and auctionOS and Learning Ally (as Chairman and Board Chairman Emeritus, respectively.)
Hal's deep and respected experience in the automotive industry, his investigative skills as a Washington Post reporter in earlier years, and his creativity as a former jazz band trumpet player are precisely the reasons we wanted him to be an AutoTech's Got Talent judge – rather, the reasons we needed him to be a judge!
When we asked Hal his thoughts about contributing to AutoTech's Got Talent, he responded, "I’m excited to be a judge because I don’t think there’s ever been a better time for innovators to have a major impact on an industry as large and important as the automobile business."
We couldn't have said it better ourselves.
Hal, thank you for being an important part of this exciting journey. We appreciate you and our industry does, too.
KELLY PRICE
"I love hearing about new and innovative ideas and being part of up-and-coming ventures, so this is the perfect opportunity!"
CEO. Entrepreneur. Business Advisor. Board Member. Speaker. Coach.
We know Kelly Price by her many titles and professional accomplishments, as well as the admiration and respect she has earned in the automotive industry throughout her 30-year career. However, what inspires us most about Kelly is her passion to create "happy, healthy humans" and to make the world a better place.
These reasons, and more, are why we're honored that Kelly is an AutoTech's Got Talent judge.
Kelly has certainly made an impact in the world with her deep involvement in the Cleveland Christian Home, a residential care program for children and families who have suffered extensive trauma, and the Inspiring Children Foundation, a nonprofit specializing in helping children who are suffering from anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
She has also made a tremendous impact in our industry. Beginning in 1990, she has served as Vice President of Sunnyside Automotive Dealer Group; President and Founder of Imprise Insurance; and CEO, Founder, and Board Member of National Automotive Experts/NWAN, Inc.
Today, she is the Co-Founder of Driven Capital Partners and the Executive Vice President and Board Member of Portfolio Holding, Inc., ventures that specialize in investments, M&A, business development, and advisory services for growth-oriented companies.
In response to why she's excited to be a judge for AutoTech's Got Talent, she told us, "I love hearing about new and innovative ideas and being part of up-and-coming ventures, so this is the perfect opportunity!"
Kelly's proudest accomplishment is her family – her husband of 34 years and her two children.
She recently shared with us a wonderful story about her son.
"I went to Antarctica with my son for his high school graduation present. I told him he could pick, and he said he wanted to see penguins. Little did I know when I agreed that this was pretty much the only place you can go to see them! We were on an expedition ship with 104 people and scientists. It was simply amazing. I would recommend this to everyone!"
Kelly, thank you for making a difference in the world, and in our industry. We're excited to welcome you as a member of our esteemed judge's panel.
ANDREW IORGULESCU
"I am always inspired by technology that makes our industry better, and equally inspired by the entrepreneurs who create it. I've been there, done that which is why I'm excited to lend my perspective to the AutoTech's Got Talent innovators."
Andrew Iorgulescu is a passionate automotive technology innovator and entrepreneur at heart. We've known Andrew a long time and have watched as he has successfully developed, launched, managed, and sold companies that have helped transform the automotive industry.
Andrew began his longstanding career in 1996, in the auto financial services division of GE Capital, where he worked with automotive Internet pioneer, Autobytel. In 1997, he joined Autobytel as Director of Used Cars and managed the company’s Dealer Real Time lead system for thousands of dealer partners across the U.S. He was also instrumental in the company's European expansion efforts.
During his time at Autobytel, Andrew had visions to develop his own company and in 1999, he co-founded OPENLANE (acquired by NYSE: KAR), an innovative vehicle auction platform where he served as VP of Business and Dealer Development.
During his 13-year tenure at OPENLANE, he raised over $70 million in venture capital funding; secured another $50 million in recurring revenue agreements with major OEMs, banks, and financial institutions; built and managed a dealer sales organization of over 150 employees; and successfully led the organization through the 2001 dot com bubble and the 2008 global financial crisis. He also spearheaded the company’s international business development efforts, launching and managing OPENLANE Canada as well as securing licensing agreements in Australia.
In 2015, Andrew co-founded The Appraisal Lane, a real-time used car trade network and communications platform delivering nearly $6 billion in offers on used vehicles during the course of its operations. The Appraisal Lane was acquired by Reynolds and Reynolds last year.
Andrew earned his BA in International Relations and Spanish from Knox College, and his MBA from McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, Austin. Throughout his professional career, he has actively served as a business advisor, investor, and Board Member for groundbreaking technology companies across various industries, including automotive, insurance, and medical.
Andrew told us, "I am always inspired by technology that makes our industry better, and equally inspired by the entrepreneurs who create it. I've been there, done that which is why I'm excited to lend my perspective to the AutoTech's Got Talent innovators."
Applications Now Closed
We are no longer accepting applications for AutoTech's Got Talent, however, if you're an AutoTech founder looking for investment from our venture fund, we welcome you to send us your pitch.