Winners Announced in the 12th Annual Utah Innovation Awards
SALT LAKE CITY- Eight innovations were announced as winners in the 12th annual Utah Innovation Awards, presented by Stoel Rives LLP and the Utah Technology Council. This statewide program, the first of its kind, recognizes innovations and the Utah companies that created them. The program is sponsored by Webb Audio Visual Communication, Utah Business Magazine, Wells Fargo, KUER 90.1, Fluid, Go Engineer, USTAR, Grant Thornton, and the Girl Scouts of Utah. Winners were announced during a sold out Awards Luncheon today at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center.
The 2014 Utah Innovation Award winners are as follows:
CLEAN TECHNOLOGY AND ENERGY
HiTech Natural Gas Membrane Reactor by Ceramatec, Inc.
The HiTech Membrane Reactor developed by Dr. Pallavi Chitta from Ceramatec converts Natural gas to Benzene, a high value raw material for polymers and Hydrogen, a valuable fuel, via an economic single-step process that significantly reduces environmentally hazardous Gas flaring and Greenhouse gas emissions.
COMPUTER HARDWARE/ELECTRICAL DEVICES
Thermal Radar by Thermal Imaging Radar, LLC
Thermal Radar by Thermal Imaging Radar, LLC is a compact, lightweight and very low power thermal camera that has the ability to create 360° panoramic images every second and analyze them for intrusion.
CONSUMER SOFTWARE
Disney Infinity by Avalanche Software Disney Interactive
Disney Infinity is an innovative and engaging gaming experience that inspires creativity and interactive play. It offers endless opportunities to innovate and create virtual worlds for Disney’s vast array of characters.
ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE, CLOUD AND BIG DATA
MoneyDesktop Personal Finance Management Suite by MoneyDesktop
MoneyDesktop’s award-winning personal financial management tools help users manage their finances in an enjoyable and powerful way. The tools also help financial institutions understand user data to increase customer retention and profitability.
LIFE SCIENCE: BIOTECHNOLOGY AND PHARMACEUTICAL
LPCN 1021 by Lipocine Inc.
LPCN 1021, an innovative oral formulation of an insoluble testosterone prodrug for the treatment of hypogonadism, overcomes the short half-life of native testosterone and accidental drug transference which occurs with topical therapies. Lipocine’s Lip’ral technology enables safe and effective levels of testosterone with LPCN 1021.
LIFE SCIENCE: MEDICAL DEVICE
PowerGlide™ by Bard Access Systems
The PowerGlide™ Midline Catheter by Bard Access Systems, is a peripherally inserted vascular access device that offers a dwell time comparable to a Midline Cather with the ease of insertion of a peripheral IV catheter.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS/CHEMICALS/MANUFACTURING
Efficient Manufacturing of Quantum Dots by Navillum Nanotechnologies, LLC
Navillum's innovative method can efficiently manufacture quantum dots making it more economical for commercialization. Quantum dots are a more energy efficient alternative for technologies in lighting, displays, solar and biomedical applications.
OUTDOOR AND CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Skydrop Sprinkler Controller by Skydrop, LLC
Skydrop is an innovative sprinkler controller that will help consumers intelligently water their landscape and reduce wasteful overwatering - which can bring significant cost savings to the user.
A committee of approximately 60 professionals from private industry, government and higher education evaluated and voted on program finalists and winners. The more than 100 nominations were put through a rigorous evaluation process during which committee members evaluated each innovation against a wide range of criteria addressing elements such as novelty, market need, market disruption and potential/current economic impact. Votes were tallied by the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP.
400 individuals attended the Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center. The program receives support from the Association of Corporate Growth, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MountainWest Capital Network; the Wayne Brown Institute, and the Women Tech Council. For more information about the Utah Innovation Awards program please visit www.utahinnovationawards.com.
About Stoel Rives LLP
Stoel Rives is a business law firm providing counseling and litigation services to a wide range of clients throughout the United States. The firm has more than 350 attorneys operating out of 11 offices in seven states, with a satellite office in Washington D.C. Stoel Rives is regarded as a leader in corporate and intellectual property law, energy, natural resources, environmental, and litigation. For more information, visit www.stoel.com.
About Utah Technology Council
The Utah Technology Council is the essential resource for Utah’s over 5,200 science and technology companies seeking to develop management talent, improve Utah’s business environment and raise investment capital. Members can connect and share insights with industry peers, venture capital firms, professional service providers and government and academic leaders. Visit www.utahtechcouncil.org or call 801-568-3500.