You may have seen the news that Philadelphia recently moved up 12 spots from 2024  in the Global Startup Ecosystem. Ranking, landing at #13. That is quite a feat and something that all of us in the region should be proud of. It also should be a reminder of how we can all play a role in solidifying and improving that positioning.

The 1682 Venture Awards are O3’s way of doing just that. O3 Co-founder and CEO Keith Scandone states “While the 1682 conference is focused primarily on enterprise organizations, from the content to the attendees,, this particular part of the event is about supporting the start-up community, and shining a lightt on those newly formed startups that often don’t get a chance to be seen.”  The competition returns on October 8 at the 1682 conference, offering AI-driven startups the chance to win $5,000,  20 hours of strategic GTMconsulting from O3 and 1 year of complimentary coworking membership from 1682 Sponsor Pennovation .

It will be the 3rd 1682 Venture Awards, with the inaugural competition taking place back in 2019, which Strella won. Strella Biotechnology has gone on to raise over $11 million in funding, scale their team, and land a global distribution deal with AgroFresh. Their ethylene-sensing technology now helps monitor billions of fruits across the supply chain, reducing waste and improving freshness from farm to shelf, proving just how far a breakthrough startup can go with the right momentum. Notably, both Strella and Sahay AI have built and refined their technologies at Pennovation, the innovation hub and repeated sponsor of the 1682 Conference.

To get a deeper understanding of the value of this particular conference and opportunity, we asked last year’s winner, Tejas Agarwal, co-founder of Sahay AI and the 2024 Venture Awards winner. His company is tackling one of railway infrastructure’s most overlooked challenges: outdated inspection methods that put lives and systems at risk. Sahay AI uses AI-powered, vehicle-mounted robots to automate inspections for railways and airports—eliminating the need for manual checks and enabling real-time safety monitoring.

Since presenting at 1682 last fall, Sahay AI has:

• Grown from one founder to a fully operational team of 12
  100 investor conversations (If he actually had that many, that should be included)
• Closed a funding round
• Signed a pilot with one of the world’s largest transportation companies
• And continued developing its core solution at Philadelphia’s Pennovation Center.

At the 1682 Summer Series on June 5, Tejas presented at Comcast NBC Universal LIFT Labs to share an update on that journey. He spoke about the lessons learned while refining Sahay’s business model, navigating public-sector customers, and figuring out what resonates with investors. One of the biggest takeaways? Keep it simple, but valuable. “We started with a big vision—but it was when we simplified the value proposition that organizations really got excited,” he shared.

Why the 1682 Venture Awards matter

Winning the Venture Award didn’t just provide recognition to Sahay AI—it delivered momentum. “It was energizing to see so many talented individuals share our passion for solving real-world problems and offer their support and ideas,” said Tejas. “I left with fresh ideas, experienced mentors, and new friends at O3 to accompany me on this journey.”

The experience also helped sharpen his investor pitch. “We practiced, refined our narrative, and started thinking bigger—about the future of our business, the adjacent industries we could explore, and how to position ourselves as infrastructure AI leaders,” he added.

That mindset has paid off. After more than 100 investor conversations, Sahay AI secured funding from strategic partners who understand the long-term vision.

Q&A with the 2024 winner, Co-founder of Sahay AI

What motivated you to apply for the 1682 Venture Awards last year?

Having been part of the Philadelphia startup ecosystem, I’d consistently heard great things about O3. What really drew me in was the opportunity to collaborate with their team. Their approach to refining problem statements and supporting early-stage founders is incredibly valuable.

What stood out to you about the conference and pitch experience?

The venue was fantastic, the sessions were well-paced, and the judges asked thoughtful questions. It was a meaningful platform to share our story and connect with people who genuinely cared about innovation.

What advice would you give to startups considering applying this year?

Focus on clarity and storytelling. Keep your slides simple and lead with a narrative that highlights the problem and brings your solution to life through the customer’s lens.

What kind of founder would benefit most from this experience?

Early-stage founders with a bold vision, who are eager to grow, open to feedback, and ready to plug into the Philly startup scene. The mentorship, community, and support at 1682 can be a game-changer.

Apply for the 2025 1682 Venture Awards

Are you building an AI-driven startup in Philadelphia? This is your chance to showcase your work, connect with mentors and investors, and gain the momentum to grow.

The award includes:

• $5,000 cash prize
• 20 hours of go-to-market strategy support from O3
• 1 year complimentary co-working membership from 1682 Sponsor Pennovation

To apply, your startup must:

• Based in Philadelphia
• Have less than $500K in annual revenue
• Feature a product or service with a strong AI component

Deadline to apply: September 12th, 2025
Apply now

What else to expect at the 1682 Conference

The 1682 Conference brings together innovators, operators, and technologists for a full day of behind-the-scenes perspectives and practical takeaways. This year’s agenda dives deep into how AI is reshaping business, from product development and operations to customer experience and talent strategy. Expect thought-provoking keynotes, expert panels, and interactive demos featuring leaders from companies like Google, Hershey, Best Egg, and SEPTA. The experience includes breakfast, lunch, curated networking breaks, and a closing cocktail reception on the Barnes’ terrace. Attendees will also receive exclusive private access to the Barnes’ renowned art collection, closed to the public for the day.

Early bird tickets are on sale now—secure your spot before prices go up.