Contributor Martha Winebarger is principal of [en-gage] solutions, founded to help small to medium sized businesses focus on communications and brand management. [en-gage] solutions is the communications and marketing sponsor for the InnoVision Awards.
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For 15 years, the InnoVision Awards have become the mark of distinction for outstanding leadership, innovation and technological excellence. As the only awards program of its kind, the InnoVision Awards distinguish businesses, individuals and educators who set new standards for innovation in finding, developing and retaining profitable business.
This week, the advisory board, sponsors, scientists, businesses and guests celebrated the 2013 finalists and honored the winners of this years coveted InnoVision awards.
The Technology Development Award was presented to VidiStar LLC, a Greenville-based company founded in 2005.
VidiStar designs and sells medical imaging reporting software for cardiology, vascular surgery/medicine, OB/GYN and general medicine. In 2013, VidiStar developed and launched VidiStar’s Referring Physician Portal, which is a Web-client application that allows referring physicians to immediately receive clinical reports, view images, and import these reports into their electronic medical records. The portal is now used in a number of medical specialties around the globe, as well as throughout South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
InnoVision’s Technology Application Award was presented to both Milliken & Company and Selah Genomics.
The Technology Application Award is sponsored by Immedion LLC. Milliken & Company’s new FireStrong strengthening system is the only carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strengthening system that maintains its strength in environments of high heat (in excess of 250 degrees Fahrenheit). The system puts high temperature carbon fiber bars in shallow grooves and encapsulates them with a cementitious grout.
FireStrong can withstand the heat generated in a fire for greater than three hours for a slab and greater than two hours for beams, thus allowing the solution to be used in any fire-rated building. In addition, FireStrong can be used in sustained-high-temperature operating environments (80 to 220degrees Celsius) where the standard CFRP solution will fail. This technology will now allow CFRPs to be used safely in buildings, thus enabling lower costs to repair or retrofit and extending the longevity of concrete-based buildings.
Selah Genomics Inc. is a clinical diagnostic company specializing in enabling personalized medicine, using new methods of genetic and molecular analysis to guide doctors in better managing each patient. From their state-of-the-art, custom-built molecular diagnostics laboratory in the NEXT Innovation Center in Greenville, they built their first proprietary laboratory-developed test, PrecisionPath, on Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology. Knowledge of the molecular profile of tumor biomarkers empowers oncologists to design treatment plans for specific cancer types.
Selah Genomics collaborated with the medical directors of the GHS Institute of Translational Oncology Research (GHS ITOR) to identify and include genetic markers within the testing panel that are clinically actionable for patients as well as those that are suspected to be involved.
The Small Enterprise Award, sponsored by SCRA, was presented to Sabai Technology LLC, a small company based in Simpsonville that is making a global impact.
Sabai supports Internet freedom and helps customers remain secure and private when online.
In the fall of 2012, Sabai Technology developed its revolutionary Sabai OS. Harnessing the power of virtual private network (VPN) technology, Sabai allows both expats, deployed government employees, and local users worldwide to enjoy Internet freedom, security, and anonymity, and are popular in countries with severe internet censorship and oversight.
The Innovation in Education Award, sponsored by Techtronic Industries North America, was awarded to VU room LLC, a startup company aiming to inspire educational engagement between students and teachers in new and technologically innovative ways.
The company is achieving its goals through its new type of Web-based education content management system, the VU room software platform. The software has a teachers’ portal to create and manage assignments, projects and tests, and a students’ portal that provides the ability to interact socially with other students, as well as take assignments and interact with education content assigned by the teacher. VU room is located in Easley.
The Community Service Award was given to Network Controls & Electric Inc., which provides high-quality single-source design, installation and maintenance of communication networks and technology infrastructure.
In June 2011, the company began to install the communication network and technology infrastructure for the three-year Oconee County Focus project. Oconee Focus entails the installation of 626 miles of broadband network for this minimally connected county. The impact of the network directly impacts the economic, social and educational well-being of this technologically underdeveloped region of South Carolina.
The Sustainability Award sponsored by Sealed Air Corporation was presented to Sensor Electronic Technology Inc., (SETi).
Based in Columbia, SETi is the world leader in ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs). Using the UV LEDs, SETi has developed a technique endorsed by the USDA that reduces spoilage of fresh fruits and vegetables stored in a home refrigerator and leads to over double the shelf life. With around 40 percent of the world’s fresh food going to waste, SETi may have developed a technology that will have very serious economic, health and environmental benefits.
The Charles Townes Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by A.T. Locke, was awarded to Henry “Hank” Schirmer.
Hank has worked in Spartanburg County since the mid ’60s, and has made significant contributions to Johnson & Johnson, W.R. Grace, Cryovac Inc., and Sealed Air Corporation. He presently serves as CEO of BBS Corporation in Spartanburg, where he continues to advance polymer extrusion technology, invent and patent. Schirmer’s most recent research has resulted in 77-nanolayered films. Schirmer’s inventions include 102 U.S. patents, and more than 640 patents globally.
Schirmer is internationally known for his creative solutions, having a current partnership with Alpha Marathon (Canada), and having worked with Bollore (France), the Department of Defense (US) and Soarus LLC (US). He is recognized as a Fellow by the Society of Plastics Engineers, and was named a top 100 inventor by R & D Magazine.
In addition to being a highly motivated technologist, Hank is an avid traveler and astronomer.
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About the InnoVision Awards Program: The InnoVision Awards Program, founded by Deloitte in 1999 and presented by McNair Law Firm P.A., is South Carolina’s premier organization dedicated to the advancement of technology in the state through communication, education and recognition of the spirit of innovation and technological progress. Learn more.
