Six Area Companies Win 2016 Sacramento Region Innovation Awards

Inaugural awards program recognizes innovative area companies and their breakthrough discoveries

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Six area companies have won the 2016 Sacramento Region Innovation Awards, presented by Stoel Rives LLP, the Sacramento Business Journal and Moss Adams LLP. The inaugural program recognizes the area’s vibrant innovation community, from startups to established companies, and their breakthrough creations.

The 2016 Sacramento Region Innovation Awards winners are:

Advanced Manufacturing: Watercraft Manufacturing by Free Form Factory Inc. — a proprietary technique to manufacture personal watercraft hulls 10 times faster, 3.5 times stronger, and with no volatile organic compounds.

Food and Agribusiness: Radio Frequency Pasteurizer by RF Biocidics — a food-safety solution that eliminates harmful contaminants from foods using radio frequency technology.

Hardware and Electronics: Linkbot by Barobo, Inc. — a programmable educational robot that can be customized with snap-on parts and STEM curriculum.

Medical and Health Technologies and Services: B. infantis by Evolve BioSystems  — a microbiome-based solution to establish, restore and maintain a healthy infant gut microbiome.

Software: The Risk Number by Riskalyze — a proprietary risk assessment product that measures individual investors' risk tolerance.

Sustainability: FastOx Gasifier by Sierra Energy  — waste gasification technology that transforms waste into clean, renewable energy.

In addition, Golden 1 Center was named “Innovation of the Year,” a special award-winner determined by program organizers. Sacramento Kings President Chris Granger accepted the trophy and provided a keynote speech during the luncheon, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Sacramento. Granger highlighted the arena’s impact on the surrounding community and its industry-leading commitments to sustainability, technology innovation and local industry. Entrepreneur and radio host Mark Haney of Entrepreneurs Unlimited and Haney Business Ventures served as emcee.

“This year’s winners and finalists represent the remarkable innovation community that exists in the Capital region,” said Melissa Jones, Stoel Rives’ California offices Managing Partner. “We recognize that innovation requires collaboration across a wide range of constituencies, including corporate champions, startup entrepreneurs, university leaders, investors and public officials. We’re thrilled to bring our brand of innovation recognition into the mix, having fine-tuned the program formula in other markets over the past 15 years.”

Finalists in each category also were honored at the event:

Advanced Manufacturing

• BOLT STAR by Construction Innovations LLC

Food and Agribusiness

• Automated Irrigation Advisor by Tule Technologies
• RAPID Kit by Astrona Biotechnologies

Hardware and Electronics

• GPS Real-Time Network (CSDS RTN) by California Surveying & Drafting Supply
• SenCam by Senworth

Medical and Health Technologies and Services

• Osteo-P HCCP by Molecular Matrix, Inc.
• ViVita Process & ViVita BP by ViVita Technologies, Inc.

Software

• DialSource by DialSource, Inc.
• Wyndow by Wyndow

Sustainability

• Pipeline Leak Detection by Electro Scan Inc.
• TdX 20 by Bluon Energy

The program’s selection committee reviewed more than 80 nominations submitted online through the Sacramento Business Journal from June 1 to July 29, 2016. Committee members were drawn from the region’s business, academic and technology sectors, and include representatives from MedStart, CleanStart, AgStart, UC Davis’ Venture Catalyst, Greater Sacramento Economic Council, World Food Center, Teichert, Intel, Pride Industries, California Manufacturing & Technology Association, Valley Vision, SMUD, Raley’s and Sutter Health, among others. 

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, environmental law and climate change, 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, business, labor and employment law, intellectual property, land use, real estate development and construction law. For more information, follow us @stoelrives or visit www.stoel.com.

About Moss Adams LLP: Moss Adams LLP provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to public and private middle-market enterprises in many different industries. Founded in 1913 and headquartered in Seattle, Moss Adams has 29 locations in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, and Texas. Moss Adams is one of the 15 largest accounting and consulting firms in the United States. Our staff of more than 2,400 includes approximately 267 partners. For more information, visit www.mossadams.com.

About the Sacramento Business Journal: The Sacramento Business Journal provides coverage on the latest in Sacramento business news, digitally and in print, and is an industry leader in our region for delivering breaking news to the business community. In addition, the Business Journal hosts a number of events each year to provide content relating to current news in a variety of industries. For more information, visit www.sacramentobusinessjournal.com.