The first half of the startup competition at our MobileBeat conference today in San Francisco is starting now. Hosted by CNET TV's Natali Del Conte, seven companies (selected from hundreds of applicants) will try to convince the judges that they offer the best mobile service.
Here are the companies, what they do, and the news they're announcing on-stage:
AppStoreHQTechmeme, AppStoreHQ aggregates and scores writing about iPhone apps on leading tech blogs and iPhone-focused sites. It features lists of both new iPhone app coverage and of "hottest" apps. The company is in the early part of its public beta test, and is also working on developer tools, plus a way to bring its app search features to other sites. Today, it's announcing $150,000 in seed funding from Founders Co-op.
AppVoyage
BOKU
Busted Loop
Touchnote
Urban Airship
ZOS Communciations