Miller Lite Announces 2017 Tap The Future $100k Grand Prize Winner

From MillerCoors:

CHICAGO, Sept. 29, 2017 Miller Lite has named Buffalo, New York-based company Bounce Imaging the grand-prize winner of the 2017 Miller Lite Tap the Future competition. Bounce Imaging produces toss-able cameras that provide 360 degrees of critical intelligence to first responders. The company took home the $100,000 grand prize, following a final pitch event at MillerCoors headquarters in Chicago. Celebrating its fifth anniversary year, Tap the Future is a business plan competition that offers entrepreneurs a chance to grow their businesses and receive expert advice from program judges including business magnate Daymond John, from ABC’s "Shark Tank."

"We’re very happy to award Bounce Imaging as our 2017 Miller Lite Tap the Future Winner," said Steve Canal, manager of national community affairs for MillerCoors. "For five years, Tap the Future rewarded entrepreneurs who hold true to an idea and believe in their business despite the challenges. Bounce Imaging proved to be this year’s standout from an impressive pool of competitors. Like the winners before them, we’re excited to make them apart of the Miller Lite Tap the Future legacy and we look forward to seeing the business grow and do well."

Twenty-five semi-finalists were chosen from a pool of nearly 7,000 applicants for a chance to impress Daymond Johnand other judges at live pitch events all over the country.  Each of the five winning finalists from the first round received $20,000 and a chance at the grand prize of $100,000.

"We’re honored to be selected as the winners from this amazing pool of companies," said Francisco Aguilar, CEO of Bounce Imaging. "This prize is going to help us continue to provide resources for first responders who put their lives on the line for us every day. We thank Miller Lite for the opportunity and we hope to make the Tap the Future program proud."

Each of the other finalists received a $20,000 prize. This year’s finalists included:

• Goodr Food Rescue – Food waste management mobile app that connects donors with food service programs.
• Lumenus – Company makes smart, wearable lighting for cyclists.
• Orindi Ventures – A cold weather mask for industrial workers.
• Lithic Nutrition – Cricket-based food and nutritional snack company.

Miller Lite Tap the Future, the competition that looks for business owners with a relentless commitment to entrepreneurship, will return in early 2018 to search for the next great business idea. Entrepreneurs will be able to compete for a chance to win a portion of a six-figure prize pool and receive expert advice from Tap the Future inspirational judges and community partners.

To receive the latest news on Miller Lite Tap the Future visit MLTaptheFuture.com and follow Miller Lite at Facebook.com/MillerLite and @MillerLite on Twitter.

About Miller Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company was founded in 1855 by Frederick J. Miller when he purchased the Plank Road Brewery in Milwaukee, a city he chose as the best place for a brewery given its access to great water. Miller Lite, the original great-tasting light pilsner beer, (MillerLite.com, Facebook.com/MillerLite, @MillerLite on Twitter, YouTube.com/MillerLite) was introduced nationally in 1975 and is among the top-five selling beers in the United States. The brewery’s oldest enduring beer is Miller High Life (MillerHighLife.com, Facebook.com/MillerHighLife, @MillerHighLife on Twitter). Known as the Champagne of Beers, it was introduced in 1903 and still is brewed with the same yeast strain that Miller carried in his pocket from Germany. Miller Genuine Draft (MGD.com, Facebook.com/MillerGenuineDraft, @Miller_Global on Twitter), introduced in 1986, is the original cold-filtered, packaged draft beer. Miller Brewing Company is part of MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at Facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter through @MillerCoors.