The winner of the 2021 Delta Solar Innovation Award has been announced. This award was presented to a Heartland Challenge startup that demonstrated the greatest potential to impact their community or industry.
Urogix, representing Washington University in St. Louis, received the award, taking home a $1,000 prize.
Delta Solar CEO Douglas Hutchings announced Urogix as the winner during a presentation on Wednesday, April 21. During the announcement, he cited startup challenges as a key part of his development as an entrepreneur, noting that his journey took him through the University of Arkansas’ New Venture Development program.
“I’ve had the great fortune of building companies in the hardware space with PicaSolar and WattGlass and most recently, working to scale Delta Solar. Delta Solar is focused on building world-class solar arrays right here in Arkansas with a particular focus on the commercial agricultural space. I want to highlight that none of these ventures would have been possible without the experience of going to startup competitions like the Heartland Challenge. This experience is invaluable to our young entrepreneurs, and Delta Solar is thrilled to sponsor the Innovation Award,” Hutchings said.
On April 16, Urogix also was declared the third-place winner for the Heartland Challenge. Nur Labs, from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Backup, from the University of Arkansas, took first and second place, respectively.
The Urogix team has developed a minimally invasive surgical device designed for age-related prostate enlargement. Going forward, the team plans to begin setting up the manufacturing processes, preparing the necessary facilities for the device’s assembly and beginning a U.S. Food and Drug Administration submission, with plans to submit by 2022.
The Urogix team includes Raphael Chung, Kevin Park, Frank Moon and Chang Hi Lee
READ MORE: Winners for 2021 Heartland Challenge Announced