Orlando's technology and startup ecosystem has been responsible for plenty of innovation through the years.
Many small businesses, nonprofits and local agencies have brought momentum to this growth in the last decade-plus by creating, developing, researching, supporting and succeeding at efforts to keep Central Florida on the cutting edge. These companies and the entrepreneurs who birthed them are developing innovative products, building local workforces and doing the hard work necessary to raise funds — all in an effort to bring their visions to fruition.
Orlando Inno is honoring 16 of those entities, including one local government, in the 2023 Fire Awards. The awards program, now in its second year, highlights local startups and other entities that achieved rapid revenue growth in the last year. Honorees were chosen from nominations and Orlando Inno's editorial team based on major milestones like overall growth, innovative ways of doing things, funding rounds, product launches and social impact.
See the 2023 honorees, as well as a little information about what their companies do, in the gallery below:
Introducing the 2023 Fire Awards winners
Here are this year's 16 honorees, listed in alphabetical order.
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Capacitech Energy is an energy storage component company that makes cable-based energy storage products, like the supercapacitor.
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Care.ai developed artificial intelligence-powered sensors and a monitoring platform that enable smart, real-time patient monitoring in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living communities. The startup’s technology is in use in 1,500 U.S. facilities.
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DeepWork Capital is an early-stage investment firm that provides hands-on, active engagement to support entrepreneurs before, during and after every investment.
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Hoverfly makes tethered drones for the U.S. military, as well as security and public safety companies and agencies.
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Kalogon manufactures the high-tech Kalogon Orbiter Smart Cushion, which uses machine learning and patent-pending air cell technology to sense pressure points and redistribute weight to increase blood flow and improve comfort for wheelchair users.
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Kismet Technologies is the creator of NanoRad, a fast-acting, residual antimicrobial that provides long-lasting virus and bacteria surface protection.
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Leasecake is the developer of software that allows tenants, brokers and landlords manage leases, insurance, inspections and more.
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Mosyle makes mobile device management software that lets businesses and schools control issued mobile devices and protect them from cyber attacks.
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Though not a tech firm or startup, Osceola County government put in a lot of work to lead a coalition that won millions of dollars from the federal government to benefit the NeoCity tech hub’s semiconductor lab.
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RedTeam developed a construction management software that allows digital collaboration on construction plans, document management, billing and more.
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SightPlan is a developer of multifamily software that makes it easier to track work requests, collect rent, communicate with residents, etc.
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Simetri is a simulation/training company that makes moulage, prosthetics that fit onto manikins to simulate various injuries for military and medical training.
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Stax is a fintech (financial technology) company that specializes in credit card payment processing for businesses.
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Tomahawk Robotics is a maker of an artificial intelligence-enabled, universal robot control system.
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Vaya Space developed the Star 3-D rocket engine, a hybrid engine that uses liquid and solid propellant, and the Dauntless rocket, to launch payloads into space for the growing small satellite sector.
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VerdeGo Aero created hardware that enables hybrid-electric aircraft by using both electric motors and sustainable liquid fuels — sometimes considered competing methods — to make aircraft more sustainable.
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The honorees will be recognized at a June 8 awards reception. Learn more about the winners of The Fire Awards, including in which categories they landed, in Orlando Business Journal's June 9-15, 2023, weekly edition.
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