Ohio State innovators and innovations recognized with BizTech Awards
Three organizations with roots at The Ohio State University this week were this week honored with BizTech Awards from Columbus Business First. The awards annually recognize the top startups, entrepreneurs and innovations in the Columbus ecosystem. See the full list of winners on the Business First website. Congratulations!
Emre Koksal
Inventor of the Year – Emre Koksal, DAtAnchor
Emre Koksal, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Ohio State and the founder of Ohio State startup DAtAnchor, a novel crypto-technology that provides seamless and easy-to-use encryption, automated data governance and dynamic access control and revocation capabilities. These features enable businesses to protect their sensitive data even when it may be exfiltrated. DAtAnchor is a universal solution, protecting all data types, along with any application used to secure it. It is very easy to set up, and DAtAnchor seamlessly integrates with existing cloud-based security solutions and distributed storage systems.
Nikola Labs, Inc. Innovation of the Year and Executive of the Year Will Zell
Nikola Labs, Inc., is an Ohio State startup commercializing technology based on Ohio State electrical and computer engineering associate professor Chi-Chih Chen’s research. Will Zell is the CEO and co-founder of the wireless power company with an advantaged far-field technology that converts radio-frequency (RF) energy into direct current (DC) power. The company’s first application is a predictive facility maintenance (PfM) system for manufacturing equipment, such as motors, bearings, pumps and gearboxes. The Nikola PfM system includes wirelessly powered temperature and vibration sensors, a transponder that powers the system, and a cloud-based software application that allows customers to view and analyze the data.
Innovation Studio
Non-Profit of the Year – Innovation Studio
The Innovation Studio exists to foster interprofessional collaboration in creating healthcare solutions, providing assistance, resources, mentors and tools to help develop and idea into a commercial reality. It is a maker space, housing an array of prototyping tools, including 3D printers and laser cutters. The studios host workshops with topics such as product design, pitch development, interprofessional collaboration and maker skills, and provides project mentors and daily technical support. The moveable Innovation Studio travels across campus to help foster interprofessional collaboration while the Innovation Studio – Mirror Lake resides at a permanent location in Pomerene Hall.