DETROIT ? Ann Arbor-based SkySpecs, LLC won the Accelerate Michigan grand prize of $500,000 Thursday night, while three other NextEnergy clients earned $75,000 in cash prizes as well.
SkySpecs has developed a sophisticated collision-avoidance system for drones (unmanned aerial vehicles), with particular applications in wind turbine, utility, and other infrastructure operation and maintenance activities. NextEnergy has provided SkySpecs support in its go-to-market strategy, partnerships matchmaking, and fundraising.
Solartonic, an Ann-Arbor based company, won the NextEnergy Innovation Award with a cash prize of $25,000, awarded to the best company in the energy sector category at Accelerate Michigan. Solartonic has developed solarlume, a connected, off-grid, solar powered streetlamp. NextEnergy has provided support with strategy, matchmaking, partnerships, access to funding, and market research services. Solartonic is currently demonstrating its solarlume technology at NextEnergy?s Detroit campus as a result of an additional NextEnergy grant.
Ann Arbor-based Ornicept won the Information Technology award, sponsored by Google, and an associated cash prize of $25,000. Ornicept has developed Specteo, a tablet-based field surveying software and web-administration tool that allows technicians to easily report on inspections anywhere in the field, including wind farms, utility power lines, and gas pipelines. NextEnergy has supported Ornicept by providing matchmaking, general strategy, and fundraising services.
Inventev, located in Detroit, won the $25,000 Transportation award at Accelerate Michigan. Inventev is developing the next generation of plug-in hybrid vehicle technology that incorporates exportable power, specifically in commercial trucks used on job sites. NextEnergy has supported Inventev through strategy advice, mentorship, matchmaking, and fundraising support.
?These companies are great examples of Michigan?s talented entrepreneurs and we?re very proud of them for achieving this important milestone, said NextEnergy President and CEO, Jean Redfield. ?The prizes are game-changers for them and will help to accelerate the commercialization of their products, driving investment and job creation in Michigan.?
The Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition is an international business competition designed to showcase the best new business concepts and bring together later stage entrepreneurial companies with local, national and international investors to foster economic growth in Michigan. More than 50 entrepreneurs, including 13 NextEnergy clients, pitched their businesses during the semi-final round of the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, which took place in Detroit earlier this week.
More than $1 million in cash and in-kind prizes were awarded to competition finalists. For a full list of winners, click on AccelerateMichigan.Org
