Innovate Utah: NEW IDEAS, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FROM UTAH COMPANIES

Utah startup Sego Innovations has begun marketing its Sego Solar Charger. Founded by a team of origami experts and engineers, Sego is based at Research Park on the University of Utah campus. Founders Jacob Sheffield and Ian Esplin developed the origami-based solar charger after working with Brigham Young University’s compliant mechanism research group, a team of engineering experts developing space-based solar arrays.

The charger solves the problem of needing a large surface to generate significant electricity. The charger maximizes space optimization and portability using{mprestriction ids="1,3"} principles derived from the Japanese paper-folding art of origami, combined with modern mechanical engineering applications. It is foldable to 7.5 inches by 7.5 inches by 1.25 inches and deploys to a full 2.56-foot-square solar collection panel — eight times its folded size, making it ideal for outdoors-based activities.

The Sego charger is designed to power small and medium-sized devices directly. It will charge a smartphone in two hours in full sun. It can also recharge and top-off portable batteries and small power chargers. The Sego charger has USB and DC ports, making it compatible with any portable power bank, power station and basic electronics.

“People rebrand solar panels and there are little innovations, but if you look at it from, you know, an uninformed perspective, they all kind of look the same,” Sheffield said. “Really, when it comes down to it, they’ve been using the same design concept for the last two decades.”

Lehi-based online marketing agency Manta has released Business Management Software, which includes a wide range of features to streamline business operations, including automated marketing, online scheduling, customer relationship management billing and payments and other features. It is available for desktop computers or as a mobile app. “We couldn’t be more excited about our newest product offering at Manta,” said Jared Turner, Manta’s chief technology officer. “Manta exists to offer products and services specifically catered to a small-business audience looking for ways to improve their marketing and streamline their services. And Business Management Software does that. Literally everything a business needs to streamline and automate operations in one place. We’re thrilled to take this next step.” Manta said its Business Management Software helps companies reduce costs, improve efficiency and streamline business operations.

Converus, a truth verification products provider based in Lehi, has introduced VerifEye, what it markets as first accurate truth verification app for iOS and Android phones. Converus said the tests have the ability to identify false claims, credit risks, sobriety, faithfulness to a partner or accuracy of one’s professional online profile. VerifEye uses a cell phone’s camera and AI to measure changes in involuntary eye behavior and other physiological factors during a self-administered true/false test to determine if a person is truthful or deceptive. “The ability to affordably, accurately and quickly verify truth via an app anywhere, anytime and in almost any language, has garnered interest worldwide,” said Converus President and CEO Todd Mickelsen. “We’ve had discussions with several large companies. One has the potential to run over a million tests annually.”

Beauty & Bodywork Insurance (BBI), a Pleasant Grove-based company that specializes in insurance for bodywork professionals and companies, has added salon and spa coverage to its offerings. The coverage includes general and professional liability aggregate, products and completed operations aggregate, personal and advertising injury coverage, damage to rented-to-you premises and other loss coverage. “We understand the importance of tailored insurance solutions for salon and spa owners,” said Siosiua Militoni, product manager for BBI. “Our salon and spa coverage not only offers comprehensive protection but also ensures ease of access and management through our fast and secure online purchase platform and 24/7 policy management capabilities.” Available in all 50 states, the policy is designed for salon and spa owners who rent the facilities where they operate. It does not cover owners of the buildings themselves.

Orem-based sports nutrition and lifestyle brand Bucked Up has announced a first-of-its kind pre-workout product called Pixie Pump. A play on the childhood treat, Pixie Pump melts on the tongue, leveraging natural ingredients to deliver long-lasting energy and focus, the company said. It comes in four flavors, including Blood Raz, Watermelon, Rocket Pop and Sour Gummy. “At Bucked Up, our ultimate goal is to help everyone achieve their health and fitness goals, so we are always working to come up with innovative products that help our customers do just that,” said Ryan Gardner, Bucked Up co-founder and CEO. “With Pixie Pump, we have found a new creative, nostalgic way that rapidly provides long-lasting energy and focus in a way that no brand has done before.” Pixie Pump’s is caffeine-free and non-stimulant.

Automobile dealership operations solution company Carketa has launched its newly revamped platform to help dealerships of all sizes streamline their vehicle inventory management from appraisal to inspection, reconditioning, pricing and sale. Carketa is headquartered in Lehi. The new platform includes customizable reconditioning and inspection templates plus new appraisal and pricing features leveraging live market data and an easy-to-use interface. “Dealerships need simple, intelligent tools to help them manage their whole operation,” said Tim Hansen, CEO of Carketa. “Faster inventory turn, clear handoffs and better margins on every car is a recipe for a more successful and profitable dealership. With our updated platform, mobile apps and Chrome extension, we’re helping dealers make better decisions every single day.” Carketa is used by the National Independent Automobile Dealership Association to power its Certified Pre-Owned program.

Sandy-based UtahRealEstate.com (URE), one of the nation’s largest multiple listing services (MLS), has unveiled its next level of MLS photo intelligence. Utilizing the restb.ai platform, URE members can now have their photos instantly scanned to include photo descriptions, room types and photo tagging. Once the photos are scanned, URE’s software then categorizes the photo tags, allowing members to search by photo characteristics in addition to the traditional MLS fields. “We wanted to lead the real estate industry in using artificial intelligence to transform the search experience for our members and the clients they serve,” said Brad Bjelke, CEO of UtahRealEstate.com. “As the photo database builds, searches will become more powerful, the data will be enriched and the possibilities for searching will go far beyond what we could have imagined 10 years ago.”

Lehi-base customer communication and engagement platform Weave has introduced a new Message Analytics tool, aimed at helping medical and dental practices analyze patient interactions more effectively and view best practice benchmarks to see how well they are performing. The tool enables practices to extract insights on the message type, volume and trends. “By providing our customers with the tools to analyze their customer communication data we are setting them up to succeed,” said Branden Niesh, chief product and technology officer of Weave. “With Message Analytics … our customers now have access to actionable, easily consumed data that directly affects their bottom line. Weave is committed to providing practices with tools to manage all their communications channels in one place, and these new features will further enable businesses to optimize their customer interactions.”{/mprestriction}