INNOV8 is a showcase of creativity and innovation in Lafayette, La. The festival is a project of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Now in its second year, it boasts over 40 events and expects thousands in attendance from April 19 to April 26, 2013 for the eight-day festival of innovation. The INNOV8 Awards, given to top innovators in Acadiana who inspire the next generation to dream big, announced its winners earlier today (April 11).
Todd Park, US Chief Technology Officer, visited Lafayette last year and tweeted, “Silicon Bayou – aka Lafayette, Louisiana – is the best kept secret reservoir of innovation mojo in America.”
Seven local business people evaluated the applications and selected four winners, one for each of the categories including nonprofit, business, education, and medicine:
Nonprofit: Evangeline Area Boy Scouts – Atchafalaya High Adventure Swamp Base
The Evangeline Area Boy Scouts will convert several acres of Atchafalaya Basin into a high adventure base that will be available to scouts and outdoor enthusiasts around the world. This project will make a positive economic and environmental impact on the basin area and will leave a legacy for many years to come. www.eacbsa.org
Business: McBraun Industries – BluDri Product Line
Two local women have developed a home solution product that absorbs residual moisture in front load washing machines, reducing mildew and mold growth inside the machine. www.bludri.com
Education: UL Lafayette CBIT – Cajun Code Fest at INNOV8 2012
Established in 2012, Cajun Code Fest is a free two-day coding competition that focuses on transforming data into health care solutions. Programmers organize themselves into teams and over a 27-hour period, build exciting new prototypes and tools to improve access to health information. www.cajuncodefest.org
Medical: Lafayette General Medical Center – Telemedicine Clinic at Stuller, Inc.
The first telemedicine clinic in Acadiana was established in May 2012 at Stuller, Inc. Through two-way audio and HD video, Stuller’s 1,200+ employees now have access to primary care physicians and other LGMC resources without leaving their workplace.www.lafayettegeneral.com
The innovators behind each venture will be showcased on April 22nd from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the INNOV8 Awards ceremony. For more information, visit innov8lafayette.com.
We’d like to thank our April sponsor: Search Influence. Want to be a sponsor? Email Julia@SiliconBayouNews.com!