Idaho Innovation Awards Program Names 2018 Winners
Stoel Rives LLP, Trailhead and the Idaho Technology Council co-sponsor awards program to recognize innovations, innovative professionals and companies throughout Idaho
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Innovation Awards program is proud to announce the winners of the 13th annual awards program designed to recognize the innovations and entrepreneurs that are helping to drive Idaho’s economy. The program is organized by Stoel Rives LLP, Trailhead and the Idaho Technology Council (ITC).
As the state’s premier business innovation awards program, the Idaho Innovation Awards recognize groundbreaking accomplishments in five categories. Five winners and 10 finalists were recognized at the awards ceremony, a segment of the ITC’s ninth annual Hall of Fame celebration, held at Boise Centre.
The 2018 winners are:
- Commercialized Innovation of the Year: MultiGrip Workholding by VersaBuilt Robotics - quick change vise jaw system
- Consumer Product of the Year: Ammon Fiber Optics by City of Ammon - City-owned and operated fiber optic infrastructure
- Early-Stage Innovation of the Year: Continuous Fiber 3D Printing (CF3D™) by Continuous Composites - 3D printing continuous fibers that embeds functionality with fiber optics and copper wires creating a part that can sense and react to environmental stimuli
- Innovative Company of the Year: Sloan Security Group, Inc. - design, installation and maintenance for perimeter security
- Innovator of the Year: Tracy Lotz, Founder and CEO, LiveRez – a pioneer in a number of advancements in the vacation rental space, from online advertising to online bookings to cloud-based management software.
Nominations were evaluated by a selection committee consisting of leaders from Idaho’s business, technology and academic communities; their votes were tallied by accountants from Deloitte. In addition to announcing the winners, Stoel Rives partner and awards program chair Brian Larsen and Stoel Rives associate Nick Taylor honored the following finalists:
Commercialized Innovation of the Year
- Retrolux by Retrolux, Inc.
- Submersible & Direct Burial Splice Connector by Melni Connectors
Consumer Product of the Year
Early-Stage Innovation of the Year
- Additive Manufacturing Evaporative Casting (AMEC) by Skuld LLC
- LoTempLene by Idaho National Laboratory
Innovative Company of the Year
Innovator of the Year
- Ryan DeLuca, Co-Founder and CEO, Black Box VR
- Dr. Hussein Moradi, Chief Wireless Technical Director in National & Homeland Security, Idaho National Laboratory
Held annually since 2010, the Idaho Technology Council Hall of Fame recognizes innovative leaders who have made a significant contribution to the state’s technology community. Joe Albertson, founder of Albertsons Inc., and Bob Miller, former CEO and Chairman of the Board of Albertsons Companies, were this year’s inductees. The event also featured Steve Young, former 49ers Hall of Fame quarterback and managing partner and co-founder of Huntsman Gay Global Capital, as the keynote speaker.
About the Innovation Awards: Stoel Rives has celebrated innovative companies and their accomplishments since hosting the first Innovation Awards in Salt Lake City in 2002. Each consecutive year, the law firm has honored groundbreaking advancements from emerging to established businesses. In its commitment to foster the innovation ecosystem across its footprint, Stoel Rives has since expanded its Innovation Awards program to Boise, Idaho (2006) and Sacramento, California (2016). In 2017, the firm partnered with the Puget Sound Business Journal as a presenting sponsor of the publication’s inaugural innovation awards program in Seattle, Washington. For more information visit www.stoel.com/innovation.
About Stoel Rives LLP: Stoel Rives is a leading U.S. corporate and litigation law firm. One of the largest national firms focused on energy, natural resources, climate change and the environment, Stoel Rives also serves the agribusiness, food and beverage, health care, life sciences, and technology industries. With more than 350 attorneys operating out of 10 offices in seven states and the District of Columbia, Stoel Rives is a leader in regulatory and compliance matters, and business, labor and employment, intellectual property, land use, and real estate development and construction law.
About Trailhead: Trailhead helps Boiseans start and scale businesses and high-impact projects. Founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, Trailhead is the place to find resources, explore new technologies, and create something all your own. From our casual, yet connected coworking space to high-octane workshops, we are dedicated to giving entrepreneurs access to the tools and connections they need to build something with impact. For more information visit www.trailheadboise.org.
About Idaho Technology Council: The Idaho Technology Council exists to connect, inform and promote the technology companies in Idaho and is dedicated to foster the growth of technology companies in the state, primarily in the areas of information technology, agriscience and energy. The ITC provides a valuable forum for industry, research, educators, investors and government throughout the state. The ITC advocates for creating a strong, innovative technology ecosystem and a high-quality, high-paid workforce. For more information, visit www.idahotechcouncil.org.