2023 Fire Awards: Kismet Technologies brings an innovative approach to infection prevention

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Kismet Technologies co-founders Shari Dingle Constantini and Christina Drake in the lab

Britt Runion

Kismet microbiologist swabbing NanoRAD treated surface

Kismet Technologies microbiologist swabbing NanoRAD treated surface

Kismet Technologies

Kismet Technologies co-founder Shari Dingle Constantini

Jim Carchidi

Kismet Technologies lab work

Kismet Technologies

By Sarah Kinbar - Staff writer

June 12, 2023, 05:01pm EDT

Kismet Technologies of Orlando has been honored as an Orlando Inno 2023 Fire Awards recipient, one of three Fresh Faces, in business for less than five years.

The firm produces a disinfectant product used in coatings and films to provide non-stop virus and bacteria protection for weeks to months at a time, even against severe disease-causing germs.

Read more about the Fire Awards in Orlando Business Journal's June 9-15, 2023, weekly edition.

Introducing the 2023 Fire Awards winners

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Here are this year's 16 honorees, listed in alphabetical order.

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2023 Fire Awards Capacitech Energy slide

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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2023 Fire Awards Kismet Technologies slide

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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2023 Fire Awards Osceola County government slide

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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2023 Fire Awards Tomahawk Robotics slide

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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Here’s more from CEO Dr. Christina Drake:

What led to your firm’s rapid growth?

Our NanoRAD coatings and films are the first of their type to provide potent antimicrobial protection while being non-toxic to humans. Our product has generated a lot of interest in healthcare and in other industries where microbe reduction is needed, such as clean rooms. Working with the UCF School of Medicine and College of Engineering gave us an objective third party to evaluate our technology and validate its efficacy on bacteria and viruses.

What’s one big challenge your firm’s rapid growth has created, and how do you plan to overcome it?

One challenge we have is being able to meet demand for our product and the logistics to move product to customers. We plan on working with distributors and licensing companies that already have logistics in place for our target markets.

What is a little-known fact about your company?

When Kismet Technologies was founded in 2019, the founder was not entirely certain what the company would be. Kismet means fate or destiny and the company was named to acknowledge that a meant-to-be technology would come about. That happened the following year with the COVID pandemic and the idea for NanoRAD was born.

What’s your top company goal for 2023?

Our top 2023 goal is to make our first sales in Q3/Q4.

How does your company stay on the cutting edge?

We are constantly digging into the problems around infection control and look for opportunities where our NanoRAD technology can mitigate infections. Our team, advisors and investors have deep knowledge in science and healthcare giving us the ability to directly tackle these problems.