Meet The 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge Winners
Loudoun Economic Development is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge, which celebrated the county’s most forward-thinking entrepreneurs and businesses. The winners were revealed at an elegant awards gala held at Belmont Country Club on Thursday evening.
The Loudoun Innovation Challenge recognizes and supports groundbreaking ideas in categories such as Industry Transformation, Life Sciences Technology, Cyber Defense, Highly Specialized Manufacturing, and Clean Technology. Each winning company demonstrated exceptional ingenuity, problem-solving, and potential to positively impact Loudoun County and beyond.
Clean Technology Innovation Winner – Emtel Energy
Cyber and Defense Innovation Winner – MeasuredRisk
Highly Specialized Manufacturing Innovation Winner – SkyRFID
Industry Transformation Innovation Winner – noHack
noHack also received the most votes to win the coveted People’s Choice Award!
Life Sciences Technology Innovation Winner – Vasc Risk
Meet All The 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge Finalists
Clean Technology Innovation Finalists
Click each logo to view their 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge pitch submission
Cyber and Defense Innovation Finalists
Click each logo to view their 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge pitch submission
Highly Specialized Manufacturing Innovation Finalists
Click each logo to view their 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge pitch submission
Industry Transformation Innovation Finalists
Click each logo to view their 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge pitch submission
Life Sciences Technology Innovation Finalists
Click each logo to view their 2024 Loudoun Innovation Challenge pitch submission
Loudoun County is home to an entrepreneurial environment that encourages and nurtures innovative concepts by established businesses and startups throughout all stages of the business cycle. To offer a clear financial pathway to getting new ideas off the ground, the Loudoun County Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Loudoun Department of Economic Development (DED) developed the Innovation Challenge, an annual pitch competition that offers prize money for entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level.
At the completion of the 2024 Innovation Challenge, all 10 finalists will be able to attend the 6-week Growth Program from Startups Ignite at no cost. Out of the past two cohorts, 67% raised over 400K.
All Finalists of the 2024 Innovation Challenge will receive:
- Access to high-profile leaders and partners, other innovators, and potential to receive from the program itself either an in-kind service, opportunity, or monetary award to help their business reach its next stage of growth.
- Booth at the live event
- Company logo and website link posted on Innovation Challenge page
- Acceptance into 6-week Growth Program from Startups Ignite
- Expert mentor for one year with monthly meetups at DED office
- Eligible for $10,000 People’s Choice Award
- Eligible for $15,000 category winner (5)
Awards
Loudoun EDA has dedicated $85,000 in funding this year, dividing it among five total grants:
Industry Transformation Innovation
$15,000
Industry Transformation – Industry transformation covers a broad range of industries but is focused on finding disruptors who create new markets, displace existing ones, or make the old way of doing business obsolete. This category is seeking companies that push the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to technologies, products, or services that can revolutionize entire industries.
Life Sciences Technology Innovation
$15,000
Life Sciences Tech – With global pandemics and aging populations, the world needs innovative health solutions now more than ever. The life sciences industry comprises companies operating in the research, development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, data analytics, AI, or machine learning, biotechnology-based food and medicines, medical devices, biomedical technologies, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, food processing, and other products that improve the lives of organisms.
Cyber and Defense Innovation
$15,000
Cyber and Defense Technology – The protection of computer systems and networks from attacks by malicious actors that may result in unauthorized information disclosure, theft of, or damage to hardware, software, or data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. Focuses on sensing, detecting, orienting, and engaging adversaries in order to assure mission success and to outmaneuver the adversary. This shift from security to defense requires a strong emphasis on intelligence, and reconnaissance, and the integration of staff activities to include intelligence, operations, communications, and planning.
Highly Specialized Manufacturing Innovation
$15,000
Highly Specialized Manufacturing – This category covers advancements in hardware, technology, and processes that drive innovation in specialized manufacturing, unmanned systems, automation, robotics, and more. The world is changing rapidly, with business, government and individual customers craving the option of touch-free, automated interaction. This creates opportunities for drone businesses that were unimaginable pre-pandemic and has accelerated the industry’s growth. Entries in this category focus on the development of new designs, peripherals, systems, and devices that create efficiencies, enable forward development, and enhance the efficacy of existing devices, systems, or processes. There is an emphasis on the creation of products versus services.
Clean Technology Innovation
$15,000
Clean Technology – Any process, product, or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through significant energy efficiency improvements, the sustainable use of resources, or environmental protection activities. Clean technology includes a broad range of technology related to recycling, renewable energy, information technology, green transportation, electric motors, green chemistry, lighting, grey water, and more.
People’s Choice Award
$10,000
Winner selected from the 8 finalists. Anyone can vote, even people who cannot attend the competition in person. (This is when having friends on social media can pay off. Start promoting day one, and you could win the People’s Choice Award.)
Contact Us
We look forward to working with you and building towards a bright, #LoudounPossible future.
Danelle Hayer
Business Development Officer – Small Business
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