life sciences sectors.” He invited innovators and entrepreneurs in the hotel ballroom to “bring me your best ideas, and let us take this journey together.”
For this year’s new product awards, local companies submitted 102 products for consideration. Finalists were selected in eight categories. The categories and winner are:
Aerospace and Security Technologies: CyberFlow Analytics for FlowScape—security technology that monitors the “Internet of Things,” using big data analytics and machine learning to detect anomalous, high-risk cyber threats across machine-to-machine networks.
Communications and IT: Cubic Transportation Systems for its NextBus fleet management technology. The application enables both passengers and public transit managers to access real-time data about public transit operations, including the estimated arrival time of the next bus at any given bus stop in a transit district’s service area.
Diagnostics and Research Tools: Organovo, for “exVive3D Liver Model”—functional 3D samples of human liver tissue that are created using Organovo’s proprietary 3D bioprinting technology. The company recently introduced the product for commercial use by pharmaceutical companies in preclinical drug discovery programs.
Pharmaceutical Drugs and Medical Devices: Topera, which moved to Menlo Park, CA, before it was acquired by Abbott in October, was recognized for developing its 3D mapping system, used by cardiologists to map and pinpoint the origins of atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia.
Mobile Apps: Rock My World, for RockMyRun, a smartphone app that takes biometric data from smartphones and fitness wearable devices, and adjusts the user’s workout music to match.
Software: CloudBeds, which began as Onde Ficar, is a Web-based software system for hotels, enabling small and medium hotels to optimize room prices and availability, and to provide online booking services and back-office management services for the hospitality industry.
Sport & Active Lifestyle Technologies: Electrozyme for developing a wireless body sensor to monitor whether the user is well-hydrated by measuring the electrolytes in sweat. The wearable sensor helps athletes answer three key questions: When is it time to rehydrate? What to rehydrate with? How much to rehydrate?
Sustainability category: Solatube International for Solatube SkyVault, a modular skylight that uses fresnel lenses to optimize residential solar lighting.
Connect also honored San Diego philanthropist T. Denny Sanford with its Distinguished Contribution Award for Life Sciences Innovation, and Robert S. Sullivan, founding dean of UC San Diego Rady School of Management, with the Distinguished Contribution Award for Technology Innovation.
The two awards are intended to honor individuals in San Diego who, through business activities and community involvement, have encouraged innovation, diversity of thought, and the advancement of local entrepreneurs.
