Dallas Innovates and D CEO magazine teamed up to present The Innovation Awards 2020, a new program honoring companies and leaders—CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, entrepreneurs, and others—driving innovation in North Texas.
Here are the winners and finalists for Innovation in Technology.
W I N N E R
Polte
Ed Chao and his team at Polte leverage cellular networks to help enterprises in a way that’s never been done before: locating their assets. The Location as a Service platform is disrupting the market by giving visibility to things in motion that previously couldn’t be traced due to size, power, and cost restraints. Although the tech itself is highly differentiated—Polte has more than 75 secured or pending patents—the driver of innovation is in how it’s applied. With deployment available in nearly every industry, including transportation, energy, and healthcare, Chao says the possibilities are endless, as the tech transforms how we live and work. “The best business advice I have received and would also offer to others is that you rarely succeed with the same business model that you start with,” he says. “The most successful entrepreneurs are decisive yet know when to evolve and take different paths.” —Julie Le
F I N A L I S T S
Dialexa
Technology research, design, and creation firm Dialexa is a place that jump-starts ideas. Founded in 2010 by Scott Harper and Mark Haidar, Dialexa’s team deliver custom design and technology solutions that help businesses differentiate themselves and create a competitive advantage. “Innovation means thinking and doing differently. It is not linear, incremental improvement nor a gimmick or buzzword,” Harper said. “Innovation is breakthrough ideas, and above all, execution.” Meaningful innovation can be measured by impact and value creation. Some of Dialexa’s work includes Topgolf, Flexdrive/Cox Automotive, Audi, MoneyGram, healthcare systems, Vinli, ParkHub, Robin, Sabre, and Fastlane. Harper said Dialex also helped launch Rosy, the women’s healthcare website, and it is assisting the a large automaker with its dealership experience. Harper said the future is full of opportunity. “I am most excited about things that we don’t know about yet. As the world gets more advanced and information is ubiquitous, there is not nearly as much mystery left in the world as there was in generations past,” he said. “I’m excited about the secrets that will be uncovered.” —Lance Murray
Edgetensor Technologies Inc.
Co-founded by CEO Rajesh Narasmiha, Edgetensor is a computer vision and machine learning company that makes edge-based AI technology available for most devices. For example, one of the biggest safety issues on U.S. highways is distracted driving, and Dallas-based EdgeTensor has brought artificial intelligence technology to the fray—from the cloud and behind the steering wheel to monitor drivers. “Safety and security are the most important aspect in the current generation vehicles and the next generation (of) autonomous vehicles — and these can be solved with AI technology,” EdgeTensor CEO and co-founder Rajesh Narasimha said. Its mobility tech originally was developed for autonomous vehicles and detects distracted drivers in real time, sending them an alert. Besides mobility, Edgetensor has solutions for smart content management and video security systems. —Lance Murray
ParkHub
The Dallas-based B2B parking tech provider has found a niche that has made it a powerhouse player in the parking industry with such clients as AT&T Stadium, American Airlines Center, and the Super Bowl. Founded in 2010 by CEO George Baker, ParkHub’s innovative approach has attracted investors and acquired competitors and it grows its position in the parking sector for sporting and entertainment venues. “Innovation means dreaming practically; tapping one’s creative resources to cultivate groundbreaking ideas and methods,” Baker said. “As a service-oriented individual, I relish opportunities to envisage unique solutions that serve a real-life purpose, and collaborate closely with my team, partners, and peers to build the machine.” Baker said that 2019was a milestone year for the startup. In January, itsacquired the mobile point-of-sale division of SpotHero, effectively turning a competitor into a collaborator. ParkHub completed a $13-million Series B funding round in February led by Arrowroot Capital, the first institutional capital for the company. The ParkHub team won Parking Today’s Customer Service Excellence Award in March, and in August, the it was recognized among Tech Titan’s Fast Tech top five fastest-growing companies in North Texas. Baker was honored as the National Parking Association’s Innovator of the Year in October. —Lance Murray
E X P L O R E M O R E
Click each link below to take a closer look at each finalist in all 13 categories.
Corporate Innovator of the Year
Innovation in Food and Beverage
Innovation in Manufacturing and Consumer Goods
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R E A D N E X T
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Five local winners received up to $200,000 in funding to activate their solutions throughout North Texas.
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The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which passed in May, has the power to develop 20 tech hubs throughout the United States. According to Tech Titans' CEO Bill Sproull, Dallas-Fort Worth could be a strong contender for one of those spots.
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Lessons from high-growth companies.
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With five new UT Dallas research centers, an extension of the university's Venture Development Center, and new attractions like TheLab makerspace, The IQ may just realize Richardson's vision to be "the premier tech hub in Texas."
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Your Two Cents: The Dallas Mayor's Task Force on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Wants Your FeedbackWhat should the city be doing to attract, retain, and support startups? Share your recommendations and ideas. But hurry, the Startup Information Survey will close by the end of the week.
