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The newest event in Silicon Valley is shaping up to be a hot one. Juice Pitcher, hosted by TheFunded and Vator.tv is being held on the evening of Oct. 6. Since launching the competition to find the 10 startups to present that night to an audience of some 300 people, more than 100 participants have entered the contest. The competition has been heating up and votes are becoming more intense. The five companies that are leading are Spreezio with 113 votes, Rentcycle with 78 votes, GadgetTrak with 51 votes, Amplified Analytics with 43 votes, and Umapper with 39 votes.

But we’ve got two weeks left. Anything can happen. So, make sure that you cast a vote for your favorite.  Unlike other events where select judges decide who’s going to present on stage, the Juice Pitcher is democratizing the process. So, we need your votes to make a difference.

See JuicePitcher competition

Microsoft is reportedly poaching Apple Store employees for its own retail store to be opened this year. According to “The Loop”, Microsoft has been offering “significant raises” to lure Apple employees away. Smart move, after all it’s tough to get retail employees with decent technological knowledge. Many are apparently going to make the jump… but a point of contention has been raised by those who work at Apple’s Genius Bar. Apparently, they like the honor of being a “Genius” and being a helper at Microsoft’s Answer/Windows Bar just doesn’t have the same appeal.So, Microsoft is coming up with its own names:  All-knowing Bar? Jinni Bar? God Bar? My favorite is Brilliant Bar.

See: Microsoft allegedly luring Apple retail staff