Peter J. Holt, HOLT CAT executive vice president and general manager. Courtesy photo.

Peter J. Holt, HOLT CAT executive vice president and general manager. Courtesy photo.

HOLT Ventures, the new investment arm of HOLT CAT, plans to select 15 startups to showcase their disruptive technology in the industrial space at the first Industrial Technology Pitch Competition at South by Southwest Interactive next year.

But the deadline is looming to participate.

Interested startups must apply by Dec. 16.

HOLT Ventures has teamed up with Caterpillar Ventures, Brick & Mortar Ventures and Cottonwood Technology Fund to host the Industrial Technology Pitch Competition. Startups have the potential to win cash prizes totaling $50,000.

HOLT Ventures is a new investment group. It plans to provide funding, mentorship and other guidance to startups tackling new ideas in the industrial and manufacturing industries.

“The Holt family’s great success in the commercial dealership arena over the past 40 years is partially due to the company’s values-based leadership platform,” Charlie Strickland, HOLT Ventures managing director, said in a news release. “As a capital partner and advisor, HOLT Ventures is furthering the Holt family’s legacy of fostering innovation by helping emerging companies and entrepreneurs in our industry.”

HOLT executive and member of the HOLT Ventures Advisory Committee. Courtesy photo.

HOLT executive and member of the HOLT Ventures Advisory Committee. Courtesy photo.

“As we enter a new phase in industrialization, HOLT Ventures will focus on solutions that drive efficiencies across our business and the services we provide. Companies that have a strong vision in developing efficient, innovative solutions, from process improvement to smart technologies, are what we are looking for,” Peter John Holt, HOLT CAT executive vice president and general manager, said in a news release. “There is an opportunity to connect influencers from all subsets of construction and infrastructure, and to cultivate innovative ideas specific to the industries we serve.”

Peter John Holt and Corinna Holt Richter, current leaders of HOLT CAT, will serve as members of the HOLT Ventures Advisory Committee. They also represent the fifth generation of the Holt family business, which traces their heritage to Benjamin D. Holt, 1880’s inventor of the first successful track-type tractor, widely known today as the “Caterpillar.”