More companies than usual will be making their cases for investment at one of Charlotte’s highest profile capital conferences next month.

Due to the large number of quality companies applying, the Metrolina Entrepreneurial Council (MEC) has selected eight winners — instead of the announced five to seven — of in its Business Plan Competition. The selected companies will present their business plans at MEC’s sixth annual Capital Access Conference on October 25.

The winners are:

  • MindValve, Inc.
  • Pass Privilege, Inc.
  • BUILDERadius, Inc.
  • OpSource, Inc.
  • Gentris Corporation
  • Piedmont Pharmaceuticals
  • TelecommUSA
  • SpaceNet, Inc.

Here are snapshots of several of the presenting firms:

OpSource: This UNC Charlotte spin-off develops and licenses high performance processes for the metal manufacturing industry. (Web site: www.opsourceonline.com)

Pass Privilege: Based in Charlotte, this firm provides advanced loyalty management solutions and technology. (Web site: www.passprivilege.com)

BUILDERadius: This Asheville-based firm provides online permitting, wireless inspections and free software for building departments. (Web site: www.builderadius.com)

Gentris: This Morrisville company provides pharmacogenomics tools that help drug development companies understand who will and will not benefit from and tolerate given drug therapies. (Web site: www.gentris.com)

Piedmont Pharmaceuticals: This Greensboro company is developing topically-applied pharmaceuticals.

MindValve: A spin-off from UNC Charlotte, the company provides customer retention and satisfaction management systems for the financial services industry. (Web site: www.mindvalve.com)

The competition was co-sponsored by the City of Charlotte, and Mayor Pat McCrory will present the awards to the winners.

Of the five companies that made presentations last year, two received funding, and one was bought out. The day-long Capital Access Conference is Charlotte’s largest gathering of entrepreneurs and investors. The event is open to the public; pre-registration is required.

MEC: www.mec.org