Staff Report
Published Nov. 15, 2012

Five of the six 2012 InnoVision Awards Program winners are Upstate companies.

The awards program recognizes businesses, individuals and organizations in the Upstate and Midlands for demonstrating advancements in innovation and technological progress, according to a news release.

The winners were recently announced during an awards dinner in Greenville. CreatiVasc Inc. CEO Steve Johnson received the 2012 Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award.

A panel made up of individuals from outside of South Carolina, representing various industries and backgrounds, determined the winners.

InnoVision was founded in 1999 and is presented by McNair Law Firm P.A. InnoVision is dedicated to the advancement of technology in the Upstate and Midlands through communication, education and recognition of innovation and technological progress. In addition to its annual awards program, InnoVision hosts forums throughout the year.

2012 winners and finalists

Technology development
Winner: Proterra Inc.
Finalists: Milliken & Co. and Sealed Air Corp.

Technology application
Winner: Milliken & Co.
Finalists: Sealed Air Corp. and Techtronics Industries North America

Innovation in education
Winner: Clemson University’s Social Media Listening Center
Finalists: Clemson University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and the S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics Foundation

Small enterprise
Winner: VidiStar LLC
Finalists: CardioMed, AssureFit and Zike LLC

Sustainability
Winner: Climax Global Energy Inc.
Finalists: J.B. Martin Co., Teknikem, a division of RockinBoat LLC, and The Technology Consortium Ltd.

Community service
Winner: Greenville County Library System
Finalist: Engenius