Forever Analytical captured first place in the RALLY Pitch Competition Sept. 24 and 25 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
Judges chose Forever Analytical over four competitors from across the United States in the Hard Tech category. Forever Analytical won $1 million in venture funding to accelerate their startup.
The RALLY Pitch Competition is the centerpiece of Indiana’s global innovation conference. It attracts thousands of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, technologists, and others seeking to connect. The Pitch Competition featured 25 finalists across five categories competing for a total prize amount of up to $5 million. RALLY is hosted by Elevate Ventures, Innopower and Prolific.
Forever Analytical CEO Hunter MacMillan delivered the winning pitch. MacMillan focused on how his company’s technology is addressing the global issue of PFAS contamination. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are linked to cancer, decreased immunity, infertility, developmental issues in children and environmental contamination. The company has launched an independent test lab for PFAS and other contaminants for clients in North America and the European Union and is commercializing field deployable systems for real time screening and monitoring.
“There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, and they’re everywhere—baby products, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, firefighting gear, food packaging, water, wastewater, clothing and carpeting. Regulations to limit the presence and use of PFAS are on the rise in North American and the European Union, putting companies and public entities at risk of fines or lawsuits,” MacMillan said in a press release.
MacMillan expressed gratitude to RALLY’s hosts and judges for the opportunity to compete in the pitch competition.
“Our team was honored to be a RALLY finalist, but to win the competition was more than we imagined,” he said. “The monetary prize is fantastic as it will fuel the growth of our lab and commercialization of our field systems. Equally important, RALLY introduced Forever Analytical to many venture capitalists, potential strategic partners and industry influencers who are already making a difference for us.”
Forever Analytical has locations in South Bend and Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Forever Analytical provides PFAS screening and monitoring services to global customers.
