10 firms win Utah Innovation Awards

Ten innovations were winners in the 17th annual Utah Innovation Awards program, presented by Stoel Rives LLP and Silicon Slopes.

The program recognizes innovations and the Utah companies that created them.

Award recipients are:

• Clean Technology and Energy: Robust and Efficient Battery Management System by Utah State University, a control system for battery packs in electric vehicle, military and grid storage applications that extends battery life up to 45 percent and unlocks unused cell potential through active management of cells that differ from each other in power level, capacity and chemistry.{mprestriction ids="1,3"}

• Community Innovation: Evolve by Vant4ge, a self-help app for justice-involved individuals guiding them to stability and reintegration.

• Computer Hardware/Electrical Devices: HotDrop by Vutiliti, a radical redesign for energy monitoring. Installed in less than two minutes and operating without any wires or batteries, the extremely small HotDrop can accurately monitor energy use in real time and wirelessly transmit that data miles away, even through concrete and steel.

• Consumer Products: Rags (snapless romper) by Rags Apparel LLC, a children’s snapless romper featuring a dynamic neckline that stretches.

• Consumer Software: Blerp by Blerp Inc., which lets users share and create short audio memes and soundboards.

• Enterprise Software, Cloud and Big Data: EyeDetect for Investigations by Converus Inc., a deception detection technology used by law enforcement, attorneys, private investigators and others to verify the truth.

• Life Science: Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical: SkinTE by PolarityTE, capable of regenerating full-thickness skin with all layers and appendages.

• Life Science: Medical Device: Smart-C by Turner Imaging Systems, a lightweight, portable, battery-operated C-arm, X-ray imaging device.

• Outdoor Products: Hand Out Gloves + Mittens by Hand Out Gloves, a recreational and utility glove focusing on access technology that allows all five fingers out.

• Professional Services: Corporate Massage Booking Application by Incorporate Massage, an on-demand platform for corporate massage.

Program finalists and winners were evaluated and voted on by a committee of about 65 professionals from private industry, government and higher education. More than 100 nominations were reviewed for novelty, market need, market disruption and potential/current economic impact.

The awards program receives support from the Association of Corporate Growth, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MountainWest Capital Network, VentureCapital.org and the Women Tech Council. It is sponsored by Xact Data Discovery, Kiln, Cornerstone, Chase Busath Films, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, USTAR and BioUtah.{/mprestriction}