ZIONSVILLE – The chief executive officer of Evansville-based SafeKeeping says the tech startup’s win last week at the inaugural zWORKS Pitch Night in Zionsville is another step in its growth trajectory. The company, which provides a communication and collaboration platform for long-term care facilities, took the top prize in the competition, which includes a year of office space at the zWORKS coworking space. Doug Wilcox says the startup launched its platform in July 2018 and is working to expand its footprint.

In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Wilcox said the pitch competition provided more than he expected.

ZIONSVILLE – Zionsville-based 120WaterAudit LLC has closed on a $7 million Series A round of funding. The company says it plans to use the funding to enhance its digital water cloud platform and expand sales and marketing efforts. The funding round was led by Indianapolis-based HG Ventures, with participation from Allos Ventures in Indy and California-based Greenhouse Capital Partners.

120WaterAudit’s platform includes software and testing kits to help government agencies, public water systems and schools, among other clients, manage their drinking water programs. In a news release, Chief Executive Officer Megan Glover says the funding will allow the company to continue optimizing its current capabilities and expand into other industry and water management programs on a national scale.

INDIANAPOLIS – Two Indianapolis-based furniture retailers are teaming up. Kittle’s Furniture and e-commerce retailer Parker Gwen have announced a strategic partnership agreement they say will accelerate the “already rapid growth” of Parker Gwen.

Parker Gwen was founded in late 2017 and is on pace to more than double its sales volume from 2018, according to Kittle’s. As part of the agreement, Kittle’s says it will make a “significant investment” in the startup and the company’s principals will provide initial seed capital as Parker Gwen prepares for a seed round of funding.

EVANSVILLE – Two Indiana startups took home prizes last week at the Venture Club of Indiana’s regional pitch competition in Evansville. The winners were selected out of five companies and will move on to the statewide Innovation Showcase competition in August.

Evansville-based Heliponix won first place, which included $500 cash and $5,000 of in-kind services from InGen Technologies. The company produces the GROPOD, an in-home hydroponic appliance that can grow fresh produce.

SafeKeeping LLC in Zionsville won second place and $1,500 of in-kind services from Gutwein Law. The company offers an integrated care dashboard app for long-term care facilities. The app connects residents, families and caregivers.

This week Inside INdiana Business Host Gerry Dick speaks with Jason Whitney, Indiana University Philanthropic Venture Fund, Manager of Strategic Partnerships