The first hybrid Synapse Summit ended with virtual cheers and a new tradition: innovation awards spanning seven of the biggest industries in Florida.
After nearly a week of presentations, keynotes, panels and plenty of networking, the fourth annual Synapse Summit ended by crowning seven participants in its Innovation Awards, which were chosen out of 85 applicants by a panel of local judges across the Sunshine State.
Clean tech: SustainaBase
The West Palm Beach-based company helps companies manage carbon emission waste and more, helping those companies achieve net neutrality. It's also included in FPL's 35 Mules innovation program.
Defense tech: Engineering and Computer Simulations
The Orlando-based company has innovated simulation training to improve the quality of battlefield training, which could ultimately save lives on and off the battlefield. The technology could also be used to train medical professionals.
Cybersecurity: Cigent Technology Inc.
The Fort Myers-based company provides cybersecurity measures for companies to ensure safety from cyber threats and attacks.
Entertainment and hospitality: Wall Crawl
The Orlando-based concept, completely self-funded by its couple co-founders, created a photo studio that can be used as a consumer or professional photo studio and takes advantage of viral Instagram pop-ups that garner attention on social media platforms such as TikTok.
Community impact: Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative
The St. Petersburg-based nonprofit provides a network of business, health care providers, health and human service providers and more to those in need through its innovative technology.
Emerging tech: Lunchpool
The Tampa-born, Knoxville-raised company had to pivot during the pandemic. It was originally an app that connected siloed coworkers to do the simple act of scheduling lunch breaks together but moved to an online hosting platform when Covid-19 hit. The company grew from one employee to 10 over the last year and hosted events as far away as Australia.
Grand winner: Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative
