The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) has opened nominations for its annual Launch Pad competition which recognizes startup technology companies targeting the apartment industry.

Technology firms that have been in business five years or less are eligible to enter by submitting a 500-word summary of their innovative product or service by the October 23 deadline. 

“Now in its third year, the NMHC Launch Pad is a highlight of the Council’s OpTech Conference & Exposition,” said Julie Stalknecht, NMHC’s Senior Vice President of Membership, Meetings and Marketing. “The last session of the conference features four finalists pitching their company to a panel of industry judges, and the winner receives the 2014 Technology Innovation Award, a $5,000 cash prize and a complimentary one-year membership to NMHC.” 

“Launch Pad is an important element of NMHC’s broader industry technology program,” said Rick Haughey, NMHC Vice President of Industry Technology Initiatives. “Technology has become an integral element of virtually every aspect of apartment operations. With leadership from the industry’s top technology practitioners, NMHC plays an important role in helping create the ecosystem that supports continued innovation in our sector.” 

Firms interested in competing in Launch Pad can learn more at http://ow.ly/ChCpo. 

The 2014 NMHC Technology Innovation Award will be presented at the NMHC OpTech Conference & Exposition being held November 17-19, 2014 at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, FL. More than 1,000 senior executives will gather at the conference, which features 40+ educational sessions and peer-to-peer roundtables in five tracks: marketing, technology, telecommunications, sustainability and industry trends. In addition, specialty forums on Human Resources and Risk Management will be offered on November 19.