Milwaukee – August 19, 2015 – Ten winners have been announced from the thirty-three finalists and more than 170 nominees for the 2015 Wisconsin Innovation Awards. At an awards ceremony emceed by Wayne Larrivee and keynoted by Allen Edmonds CEO Paul Grangaard, winners were named in ten categories. Winners were determined by a panel of 18 industry experts from around Wisconsin, in multiple rounds of judging. Winners spanned all parts of Wisconsin, represented large, medium and small companies, startups, established businesses, and nearly all industries.
The Wisconsin Innovation Awards Ceremony is presented by American Family Insurance and Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, and supported by Neider & Boucher, Exact Sciences, Baird, First Business Bank, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
Winners of the innovation awards were:
Manufacturing
Alfalight Inc., Madison
http://www.alfalight.com
Alfalight has developed the NLOD-ES, a portable, battery operated device that shines an incredibly bright, focused beam of light from a great distance. This beam of light is used in military scenarios as a warning when cars approach checkpoints, for instance, and can help determine if a threat exists without being dangerous to the eyes of anyone involved.
Software Service
Applied Data Consultants, Eau Claire
http://eliteextra.com
EXTRA, a subsidiary of Applied Data Consultants, is a dispatch management tool that allows for one-click orders to generate manifests, routes, and delivery data to be supplied directly to a delivery driver’s mobile device. The real-time data algorithms allow for nimble response and efficiencies.
Nonprofit
BrightStar Wisconsin Foundation, Inc., Milwaukee
http://www.brightstarwi.org
BrightStar Wisconsin is a Venture Philanthropy Fund, accepting donations via a 501c(3) organization, and co-investing in early stage Wisconsin companies. Profits from successful exits are reinvested into the fund, and used to invest in even more companies.
Healthcare/HealthIT
Exact Sciences, Madison
http://www.CologuardTest.com
Developed by Exact Sciences, Cologuard is a non-invasive screening test for colon cancer that people 50 years and older can administer themselves in their homes. Cologuard reduces the need for unnecessary, expensive and invasive colonoscopies to detect colon cancer.
Software Product
Ionic, Madison
http://ionicframework.com
Ionic is an open-source platform that allows web developers to build, run and test high quality apps for mobile devices.
BioTech
Microscopy Innovations, LLC, Marshfield
http://microscopyinnovations.com
Microscopy Innovations has developed mPrep, a system that allows for safer, less toxic, more efficient and more tightly controlled conditions for lab specimens to be tested.
General Business to Business
Red Card Media, Madison
http://redcardathleticsprogram.com
Red Card Media is an app-based meal plan that allows athletic departments to feed their student athletes in a way that is compliant with NCAA policies, and allows for communication between athletes and trainers on nutrition topics.
Education
StudyBlue, Madison
http://www.studyblue.com
StudyBlue is an online and mobile learning app that empowers 8 million users from grade school to graduate school to master any subject. Students create, study and share their notes, pulling from a library of user-generated content.
Arts
The Bubbler at Madison Public Library, Madison
http://www.madisonbubbler.org
The Bubbler at Madison Public Library is a maker-focused program for all ages offering hands-on workshops and events from community experts. The Bubbler focuses on people, not equipment by hiring local artists to come and teach their craft.
People’s Choice
Epiphany Learning, Menomonee Falls
http://www.epiphanylearning.com
Epiphany Learning has developed a web-based application that develops personalized learning plans and integrates with other learning systems in a K-12 educational environment. This gives students control and flexibility, allowing them to learn in the most effective way possible without creating more work for teachers.
More information is available at: www.wisconsininnovationawards.com