Houston Technology Center Announces 2013 Goradia Innovation Prizes

HOUSTON, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Houston Technology Center (HTC), a business accelerator and the largest technology business incubator in Texas, announces 2013 Goradia Innovation Prize winners. 

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The Goradia Innovation Prize, with Opportunity Houston, distributes almost $150,000 in cash prizes at the 2013 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 2013 Goradia prize winners:

• GRAND PRIZE of $50K awarded to C-Voltaics, Inc., Seamus "Shay" Curran, Ph.D., CEO. C-Voltaics, Inc., a nanotechnology company, has developed self-cleaning hydrophobic nanocoating (SCHN^TM) protective coatings that can be used to keep surfaces clean, stain resistant and dry.
• 1ST PLACE (tie) of $30K awarded to Carbtex Technology, Inc., Francis McCullough, Ph.D., President. Carbtex Technology, Inc., manufacturers' of Diamondown™ thermal wear is the best single base layer material which keeps you warm and dry under the coldest conditions as well as cool and comfortable in the heat.
• 1ST PLACE (tie) of $30K awarded to Saranas, Inc., Michael Magnani, CEO. Saranas, Inc., a medical device company, improves patient outcomes through real-time detection of internal bleeding complications and enables physicians to immediately address the complication using straightforward adjustments to their procedure.
• 3RD PLACE of $15K awarded to PancreatRX LLC, Geeta Shroff, CEO. PancreatRX LLC is a preclinical-stage platform biotechnology venture for pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment. The platform allows small molecules to target pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas.
• Honorable Mention awards of $5K each includes ChartSpan Medical Technologies, Inc., Jon-Michial Carter, CEO; Remind Technologies Inc., Nicole Pardo, M.D., CEO & Co-Founder.

"The innovations of these thriving young companies will have significant economic impact on our community and will enhance Houston's reputation as a global technology hub," 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