Entrepreneurs Brainstorm Their Brightest Ideas At ThinkFest
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia's biggest thinkers shared their brightest ideas during a day-long ThinkFest at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
In between the networking, to celebrate outside the box ideas, the segments included notes on the tech scene from the CEO of Curalate, Apu Gupta.
"Our conversation at ThinkFest is largely about building a technology eco-system here in Philadelphia," Gupta said.
His company at 24th and Walnut Streets helps more than 900-brands, including Urban Outfitters, through visual commerce software.
"Curalate takes all of the images and videos that surround brands and makes them shoppable."
Another entrepreneur, Parth Chauhan of HomeGrown Farms, grows herbs and vegetables at an indoor facility in Pennsauken.
"It's maximized production and minimal resources," Chauhan said.
They use 90 percent less water than conventional farms, and produce, through vertical farming, in 320-square feet what would normally take an acre of land.
Phillies' co-owner John Middleton discussed the intersection of business, sports and philanthropy.
"To be successful in one, you can apply those lessons to the others," Middleton said.
He said the club is using analytics and restocking its farm system.
"It's the best source of talent, and absolutely the best source of affordable talent."
Middleton and his wife, Leigh, support several charities. He said the approach to for profit businesses and non-profits is similar, as it relates to issues like developing a "strategic plan, tactics and vision," while providing the leadership to get everyone to work together toward a common goal. The Middleton's donated $30-million to Project Home, to deal with homelessness.
