2014 Goradia Innovation Prizes Announced at Houston Technology Center Innovation Conference and Showcase

HOUSTON, Oct. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Houston Technology Center (HTC), a business accelerator and the largest technology business incubator in Texas, announces at its annual Innovation Conference & Showcase on October 8, 2014 the 2014 Goradia Innovation Prize winners. 

The Goradia Innovation Prize, with Opportunity Houston, distributed $150,000 in cash prizes at the 2014 Innovation Conference and Showcase to finalists and honorable mentions of early stage companies that have commercialized or will soon commercialize innovative technology within the Texas Gulf Coast region. The award is based on commercial potential of the innovation, soundness of the business plan, potential for job growth within the region and likelihood of significant long-term success selected by a prestigious panel of judges. HTC is excited to recognize the following 2014 Goradia prize winners:

• Grand Prize of $50K awarded to NanoLinea, LLC, Colin Young, CEO. NanoLinea, LLC creates medical devices based on carbon nanotube fiber technology. The flagship product, CardioLinea, is a safe, durable, minimally invasive, truly therapeutic implant treatment for cardiac ventricular arrhythmia.
• 1ST Place of $35K awarded to Big Delta Systems, LLC, Charudatta "Charu" Galande, Co-founder. Big Delta Systems makes 'freeform power sources' – energy storage devices that can take any shape, size and even flexible – using an innovative and scalable additive manufacturing process.
• 2ND Place of $25K awarded to BreviTest Technologies, LLC, Dev Chatterjee, Director of Research. BreviTest Technologies, LLC. A device that automates enzyme immunoassays. Customizable disposable cartridges and established chemistries perform a broad range of tests with standard-of-care sensitivity and specificity.
• 3RD Place of $15K awarded to Vax-Immune, LLC, Joaquin Altenberg, CEO & CFO. Vax-Immune diagnoses, treats and prevents Ureaplasma infection. The Ureaplasma Rapid Diagnostic Kit (URDK) allows physicians to rapidly diagnose and treat this infection, and prevent its complications.
• Honorable Mention awards of $5K each includes Integrated Bionics, LLC, Stephane Smith, Co-founder/CEO; C-Bond Systems, LLC, Bruce Rich, CEO; Wavve Stream Inc., Eric Beydoun, CEO; A-76 Technologies LLC, Lauren Thompson, CEO; SOHMIUMe, LLC, Christopher Morgan, Business Development Manager.

"The impact of these flourishing young companies' innovations on our community and city will enhance Houston's reputation as a global technology hub and effect significant economic growth for years to come," said Walter Ulrich, President and CEO of the Houston Technology Center.

The Houston Technology Center gratefully acknowledge the support and contribution of Mr. Vijay Goradia, his wife, Dr. Marie Goradia, and their family, for donating $1 million to the Goradia Innovation Prize to be distributed over 10 years, and the Greater Houston Partnership for donating $100,000 over two years.

About Houston Technology Center
Named by Forbes' as one of "12 Business Incubators Changing the World" and  "Ten Technology Incubators Changing the World," the Houston Technology Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a business accelerator and the largest technology business incubator in Texas, advancing the commercialization of emerging technology companies in the greater Houston area. HTC serves as the nexus of new ideas, technological innovation, and entrepreneurship which works closely with entrepreneurs and startup companies to provide in-depth strategic and tactical business guidance, fundraising advice, and connections to opportunities, allies, and capital. HTC's focus is to assist Houston-based entrepreneurs in energy, information technology, life sciences, nanotechnology, and NASA/aerospace. For more information visit www.HoustonTech.org or connect with HTC on Facebook or Twitter @HouTechCenter.

About The Greater Houston Partnership
GHP is the primary advocate of Houston's business community and is dedicated to building regional economic prosperity. It represents 10 counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller. Opportunity Houston is an aggressive five-year marketing and lead generation program that will help grow jobs, increase capital investment and expand foreign trade for the region by the end of 2015.  Visit the Greater Houston Partnership's website at houston.org.

Media Contact:
Antoine Arbuckle
Director, Marketing & Communications
Houston Technology Center
(832) 476-9235
[email protected]

SOURCE Houston Technology Center