Today, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) announced Qardio, a digital health company; Eugene Tsyrklevich, CEO and founder of Parkopedia; and BenjiLock, a padlock with biometric technology, as the winners of the seventh annual Innovation Entrepreneur Awards. The awards recognize individuals and small businesses in the consumer technology industry that demonstrate innovation, dedication to the industry, community outreach and success through business and economic challenges.
"CTA is proud to honor such innovative thinkers and spotlight the entrepreneurs who are solving real-world problems," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. "From helping people track their heart health, to easing drivers' parking frustrations, to using biometrics for personal security, this year's winners embody the countless ways technology is improving lives around the world. We congratulate all our 2018 honorees, who prove innovation is the key to unlocking a better world for us and future generations."
2018 Innovation Entrepreneur Awards Winners:
Small Business of the Year: Qardio Inc., a San Francisco-based company, focuses on using data analytics and artificial intelligence to create digital health solutions that provide real-time health information to patients and doctors. Qardio's innovations include QardioCore, the first wireless electrocardiography monitor; QardioArm, a smart blood pressure monitor; and the QardioBase smart scale, which enables consumers to monitor their health at home.
Small Business Executive of the Year: Eugene Tsyrklevich founded
Parkopedia, a global parking service provider based in London that offers data on 60 million parking spaces in 8,000 cities, allowing drivers to pay for parking using its mobile app. Born in Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, Eugene now provides monthly team lunches, an unlimited vacation policy and flexible work from home options for his employees.
Startup of the Year: BenjiLock, a Los Angeles-based company, created the world's first rechargeable padlock with fingerprint technology. BenjiLock's unique innovation can also be embedded in other hybrid security solutions. The startup, which debuted at CES® 2017 and was featured on ABC's Shark Tank, has deals with ACE Hardware, Amazon, QVC and Walmart.
To learn more about the Innovation Entrepreneur Awards, sponsored by CTA's
It Is Innovation (i3) magazine and the CTA Small Business Council, visit
CTA.tech/IEA for videos of the winners and information on the 2019 nomination process. Find complete profiles of the IEA winners in the CES issue of
i3 magazine.
Eureka Park at CES 2019 will be the largest startup event on the planet, featuring the world's most innovative startups and entrepreneurs. Since 2012, more than 1,600 companies from all over the world have exhibited in Eureka Park, raising more than $1.5 billion in funding.
