Although there was no prize money or investors waiting for them in the winners’ circle, nearly 100 of the region’s early-stage companies entered this summer’s inaugural Stellar StartUps competition presented by the Philadelphia Media Network, writes Diane Mastrull for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Last week’s awards event at the new Pennovation Center in West Philadelphia was headlined by serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Josh Kopelman.

“The Philadelphia community has embraced entrepreneurship,” said Kopelman, the chairman of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Media Network, the parent company of the Inquirer and Daily News. “And our start-up community has never been more vibrant or active as it is today.”

Software developer Andrew Chambers, 43, was one of six winners in the competition.

His Berwyn-based Renterval enables rental businesses to accept real-time online booking of any type of equipment, from backhoes to the most unique so far – a casket repurposed as a party cooler. Revenues are expected to reach $100,000 this year.

“I came to the East Coast to be a part of the growing entrepreneurial environment,” Chambers said, adding that in Philadelphia he has encountered considerable professional generosity. “Philadelphia is doing a great job to actively promote entrepreneurs.”

Click here to read more about the Stellar StartUps Competition in the Philadelphia Inquirer.