Kickfurther, Sphero among local startups vying to pitch at Consumer Electronics Show

BOULDER – Five startups with Boulder ties will find out later this month whether they’re among the 10 selected nationwide to pitch at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in the Extreme Tech Challenge semifinals.

On the line in Vegas will be three spots to join Virgin founder Richard Branson on his private island, Necker Island, to pitch to him and receive other mentorship and investment opportunities.

Twenty-five companies were selected earlier this month from an initial list of more than 1,000 applicants to move on to a second round of video interviews with judges and organizers of the Extreme Tech Challenge.…