Exploration Park, Miami, and Tampa, Fla. (May 20, 2022) – Space Florida and the Florida Venture Forum, Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, are pleased to announce the award winners at the 2022 EmergingTech Showcase, held May 20 in Lake Nona. A panel of judges evaluated each eligible company’s presentation and supporting materials. Third place winner Brick Street Farms will take home $10,000 of Space Florida’s Accelerating Innovation (AI) Award. Second place winner Helicon will receive $20,000. First runner-up Kalogon will receive $30,000. Grand Prize Winner Hardee Nutritional, will receive $40,000.
Kalogon, Melbourne, Florida, has tested and proven their market-ready solution to pressure injuries – Smart Seating. Their smart cushions dynamically adjust the pressure distribution of the user and intelligently change their algorithms to suit the needs of the patient. Their product allows for easy software customization to offload locations of concern and has been designed to prevent pressure injuries and help heal existing injuries. This allows their users to sit for longer, without pain, and reduce the risk of developing life-threatening injuries. Hardee Nutritional, Lake Delton, Wisconsin, will grow and extract value-added ingredients from two types of algae in Hardee County FL, specifically: Haematococcus pluvialis (aka Hp), a source of natural astaxanthin and its co-product defatted algal meal; and Spirulina, known for its complete protein content and as a source of natural blue food colourings. These algae/products have been validated in the marketplace and represent more-than $1 billion in annual global sales.
Helicon, Orlando, Florida, makes the most advanced propellant in the world. They are working with more than 70 percent of the rocket industry today to increase rocket performance by 20-40 percent. The DoD has endorsed them and has place to scale up production 100X this year.
Brick Street Farms, St. Petersburg, Florida, utilizes patent pending environmentally forward technologies to service both a direct-to-consumer market and a business-to business wholesale market. It created the technology and the vertical farm containers to grow 16-20 acres of crops on 1/3-acre urban settings using their own farm containers- bringing mass food production to the point of consumption without using supply chain or distribution services.
“Space Florida congratulates all of the participating companies and the four winners of this year’s EmergingTech Showcase,” said Space Florida President and CEO Frank DiBello. “The success of these capital accelerator events continues to support the development of disruptive startup technologies, while elevating Florida’s profile in the venture capital arena. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Florida Venture Forum, while investing in emerging, innovative Florida technology.”
“Congratulations to all the winners and participants at the 2022 EmergingTech Showcase,” said Kevin Burgoyne, President and CEO of the Florida Venture Forum. “We are also extremely grateful to our partners at Space Florida for their support and commitment to Florida’s innovation ecosystem. The technologies and services featured at the showcase will power Florida’s very bright future; we can all be grateful for Space Florida’s leadership and efforts in fueling these advancements.”
The 17 presenting companies were selected by a committee of active Florida venture capital investors. Space Florida provided the Accelerating Innovation prize money totaling $100,000. To date, Space Florida-supported capital accelerators have attracted more than $611 million in funding and investments for participating companies.
About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov.
About the Florida Venture Forum: The Florida Venture Forum is Florida’s largest statewide support organization for investors and entrepreneurs, helping fast-growth companies connect with sources of capital from across the country. Since 1984 more than 1500 companies have presented at Forum events and have gone on to raise upwards of $11B in equity capital, producing billions more in economic value to Florida. The Forum’s 250+ members represent a “who’s who” of venture capital and private equity dealmakers, including equity and debt investors at all stages, as well as major law, accounting, and investment banking firms, and large corporates active in the innovation ecosystem. The Forum provides programs and programming statewide throughout the year in addition to hosting major annual conferences like the Florida Venture Capital Conference, the Statewide Collegiate Startup Competition, the Early Stage Capital Conference, and industry-focused events including aerospace and healthcare. For more information, visit: http://www.flventure.org.
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