Health, energy, transport start-ups in SmartCamp World Finals

11 Nov 2010

Nine companies yet to be named, but who span areas like healthcare, energy, water and transportation, are to go head-to-head at the SmartCamp World Finals in Dublin next week.

The winner will claim the title of IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year by successfully pitching a unique Smarter Planet business idea to a panel of industry experts.

Launched earlier this year, IBM brings together start-ups from around the world that are building new technologies to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as energy efficiency, the environment and personalised healthcare.

SmartCamp winners receive mentoring, access to industry experts and technology, and deeper partnership opportunities from IBM, venture capital firms and industry partners.

The 2010 SmartCamp World Finals companies include innovations that:

·        Modernises the workflow in a medical practice to put physicians in touch with each other across multiple points of care through a cloud computing solution.

·        Measures the contents of tanks and silos and reports measurements via the internet to optimise and streamline the distribution and production of commodities.

·        Developing an inexpensive solution for precise monitoring of electricity power that enables reduction of electricity consumption by up to 20pc.

·        A unique online water protection solution, whose early warning system enables immediate action before infecting a population.

·        Smart technology fighting counterfeit medicine in emerging countries, mobile phone technology used at point of purchase to validate genuine drugs.

·        Uses sensors that allow citizens to find inexpensive parking fast while helping cities manage their parking resources more efficiently.

·        Creating 3D imaging technology that measures forests for optimum harvesting.

·        Unites innovative technology with scientific and medical research by providing lifecycle solutions for the management and archiving of images.

·        Specialises in outdoor parking systems, allowing consumers to find a parking space in crowded lots and streets.

“These finalists represent the best and brightest thinking from the next generation of entrepreneurs,” said Jim Corgel, general manager of IBM ISV and Developer Relations.

“IBM welcomes these start-ups into its Business Partner ecosystem and looks forward to bringing the winning idea forward to our enterprise customers.”

The SmartCamp events are part of IBM’s Global Entrepreneur initiative, designed to bring new technologies to market faster to help its joint customers address industry-specific challenges and pursue new business opportunities.

Start-ups that sign up receive access to free software, as well as a team of dedicated project managers to assist in product development through the global network of 38 IBM Innovation Centres.

In addition, select start-ups also have the opportunity to work side-by-side with scientists and technology experts from IBM Research to develop new technologies.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com