The American Underground@Main is sending three startup founders to Silicon Valley, Nov. 2-6, for a special “exchange” program — the most of any of the hubs participating from around the world.

Galvanize — a global ‘tech campus’ — is partnering with Google for Entrepreneurs to give startups from all corners an opportunity to come to Galvanize’s San Francisco location for a week to learn, build relationships and take their companies to the next level.

The Galvanize web site notes that the 11 startups from six cities have raised nearly $12 million in funding.

After processing more than 100 applications solicited through Google for Entrepreneurs’ network of hubs, Galvanize announced eleven invited startups — including teams from Korea, New York, Denver, Detroit and the following three from Durham: ChopTix. Crowdtunes and MATI Energy (descriptions below).

Seventh Exit in Two Years

The American Underground network is part of the broader American Tobacco Campus ecosystem, which just saw its seventh major tech exit in just two years.

Open source leader Red Hat has acquired the IT automation software company Ansible for a reported $100 million-plus. Ansible joins six other companies based at the campus — transformed from an old cigarette factory to a 21st century economic engine — that have exited for a total of more than $1.5 billion.

American Underground Startups Headed to Silicon Valley

ChopTix (http://choptix.com/)

ChopTix is the first mobile marketplace for legitimate sports & events ticket scalping that allows last-minute buyers & sellers to connect using geo-location technology. Buyers and sellers can pinpoint each other’s exact locations, use a built-in chat feature to communicate directly, and view a ratings-profile system before committing to a ticket sale. ChopTix says it captures the online potential of the person-to-person, last-minute resale ticket market, helping fill stadiums, avoid waste, and manage prices through fair, transparent online competition for available tickets. It raised $75,000 in fundings and is privately Beta testing.

Crowdtunes (http://crowdtunes.com/full.html)

CrowdTunes says it transforms stale commercial background music into an interactive crowd-sourced playlist that engages staff and patrons alike while driving store loyalty. It provides expertly curated music selections that patrons can engage with through its unique jukebox application from their smartphone. This leads to happier, more engaged patrons ultimately improving the top and bottom lines of its venues.

Beyond music, it leverages its in-store digital display, music programming, iBeacon data and handsets to deliver targeted advertisements to patrons as they make critical purchasing decisions thus, it says, propelling the company from a “21st century jukebox” to a much more interesting customer experience management platform.

Applebee’s franchise stores and 140 other restaurants are using the product and it’s growing 5 percent a week.

MATI Energy (http://www.matienergy.com/)

MATI Energy says it is the first no-compromise, guilt-free energy drink on the market. Our proprietary brewing process enables us to offer consumers an all-natural product with more caffeine than Red Bull and less than 1/3 the calories of other energy drinks, all derived wholly from fruit juices and plant leaves. MATI has become a best selling energy drink in Whole Foods stores and offices across the southeast. It won the best undergrad startup at Duke University and was also a Google Demo Day winner.

The participating startup execs posed for the attached photo on the rooftop patio of the American Underground@Main. They are (l to r):Tyler Sickel, Business Development MATI; Tatiana Birgisson, Founder & CEO MATI; Brandon Magsamen, CEO CrowdTunes; Deon McCormick, CEO ChopTix.

On the web: Galvanize http://www.galvanize.com/blog/2015/10/14/google-for-entreprenuers-exchange/#.Vh_Q149Viko?utm_source=social&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=gfe