Three Startups Named Finalists For National Innovation Award

KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Angel Capital Association (ACA), the world's leading professional association for accredited investors, today named three companies as finalists for the 2017 Luis Villalobos Award for ingenuity, creativity, and innovation among startups. The companies, DesignMedix Inc., Magnetic Insight, and Peloton Technology, were selected based on, among other criteria, competitive differentiation in their respective markets and demonstrated progress toward implementing the product, service, or solution. They were among many companies nominated by ACA's membership of 13,000 angel investors.

The winner of the Luis Villalobos Award will be announced April 27 at the 2017 ACA Summit in San Francisco. The association created the annual award in memory of Luis Villalobos, whom angel investors nationwide admired for actively investing in and mentoring ingenious, creative, and innovative startups.

"Being selected as a finalist for the Luis Villalobos Award speaks volumes about the startup company's achievements.  These companies represent the top echelon of U.S. innovators that are changing markets here and abroad," said ACA Executive Director Marianne Hudson.

DesignMedix, based in Portland, OR, develops impactful disease cures that overcome drug resistance by modifying existing drugs used safely and effectively for years with strategic designs to produce cost-effective, novel drugs. The company's lead program is for malaria, and DesignMedix is preparing to submit an Investigational New Drug application to take its malaria cure into Phase I clinical trials in 2017.

Magnetic Insight, of Alameda, CA, has introduced Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), the first new diagnostic imaging technique since the introduction of CT, MRI, and PET over 30 years ago. MPI gives clinicians and scientists a precise and sensitive new tool for early diagnosis, for patient monitoring, and for research. Magnetic Insight has launched a research imaging scanner and is now developing the first clinical system.

Peloton Technology, based in Mountain View, CA, will revolutionize trucking with a patented "platooning" solution that achieves major fuel savings by allowing trucks to more safely travel in an aerodynamic configuration that reduces drag. Peloton has completed extensive testing of its solution on the U.S. Interstate system with regulatory approval, and has signed a definitive agreement to equip the largest single fleet in the U.S.

For more insight to each of these finalists, please visit the Angel Capital Association blog.

2017 ACA Summit, April 26-28 in San Francisco
2017 ACA Summit keynote speakers include renowned venture capitalist Tim Draper and his father Bill and adult children sharing perspectives on changes they see in investing, Mitch Kapor and Freada Kapor Klein speaking on building diversity in entrepreneur communities, Steve Westly on investing in companies that change the world, "The Pink Ceiling" author Cindy Whitehead on managing investment outcomes, and Dave Chase on "Investing in Healthcare's Transformation." Also to be announced at the summit is the highly anticipated Hans Severiens Award which honors the individual whose work has most advanced the field of angel investing.

Investors and leaders of the startup support community can register here for the 2017 ACA Summit.

About Angel Capital Association (ACA)
ACA is the professional association of angel investors across North America and offers education, best practices, public policy advocacy, and significant benefits and resources to its membership of more than 13,000 accredited investors, who invest individually or through its 250 angel groups, accredited platforms, and family offices. For more information, visit: www.angelcapitalassociation.org or at @ACAAngelCapital; #ACAAngelSummit.

Media Contacts
Graeme Thickins
612-867-4055
[email protected]

Mary Ellen Amodeo
612-963-5797
[email protected]

SOURCE Angel Capital Association

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