South Carolina innovators named InnoVision Awards winners

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InnoVision Awards named winners in six categories at its recent awards celebration.

The awards recognize innovation in South Carolina annually through its InnoVision Awards program. The InnoVision finalists and winners reflect both the strength of the innovation economy in —and across — South Carolina, an InnoVision news release stated.

After a month of Meet the Finalists virtual receptions, sponsored by the South Carolina Research Authority,  InnoVision recognized the award winners in a live-streamed Awards Celebration, sponsored by Contec Inc., according to the release. All finalists and winners were showcased with video highlights of their inspiring innovations.

“The 2022 finalists being showcased during the Awards Celebration are a testament to the advancement of innovation across the state, and in multiple areas vital to our continuing advancement and economic growth,” said Amy Robichaud, chair of the InnoVision Awards Board, in the release. “We were inspired by and impressed by each one.”

Here are the winners:

• The Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award: Lou Kennedy, CEO and Owner, Nephron Pharmaceuticals
• The Ibrahim Janajreh Young Innovators Award: The Pee Dee Idea Challenge Program and 2022 Student Winner Greyson Johnson
• Technology Development Award: Victory ExoFibres, LLC
• Technology Application Award: Zylo Therapeutics
• Small Business Award: Asset LLC
• Sustainability Award:  VBase Oil Company
• Education Award: MedEx Academy—Prisma Health
• Community Service Award: SMVF Crisis Intercept Mapping for Suicide Prevention

“You can see that South Carolina produces very impressive innovators — across industries and within large multinationals, small businesses and start-up businesses as well as within education and community service organizations,” incoming Chair Cian Robinson said in the release. “And there are robust and developing innovation and entrepreneurial support organizations that assist them along the journey from invention or innovation to commercial and community success.”

A replay of the event featuring the finalist and winner showcase videos can be found by clicking here.  The individual video for each of these winners (and fellow finalists) are posted on www.innovisionawards.org and YouTube.