Winners of the 2025 InnoVision Awards were announced Thursday, November 13, at the organization’s annual ceremony at The Palmetto Club in Columbia. Business and ecosystem leaders from across South Carolina gathered in the sold out ballroom to celebrate and advance the state’s emerging businesses.
FOX Carolina journalist Myra Ruiz served as emcee for the evening. The program opened with remarks from Kella Player Hanna of South Carolina Research Authority and featured video highlights of each finalist. Award presentations were delivered by representatives from Contec, the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, the University of South Carolina McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise, Cantey Tech Consulting, Harvest 21, The Hultquist Firm, Velux and Worthwhile.
During the ceremony, the non-profit SpartansFirst announced a collaboration with Hear2There, an accessibility and virtual signage system that assists blind and low vision users in navigating their surroundings. Through SpartansFirst, South Carolina businesses and venues are eligible for a 30-month free pilot of the Hear2There platform.
“We are thankful for our sponsors who make this event possible, from the incubators and ecosystem partners throughout the state, to the institutions that are educating and inspiring the next generation of ideas,” commented InnoVision Chairman and IP attorney Doug Kim. “It’s interesting to note that we received a record number of submissions in the Education category, a clear reflection of the profound commitment to learning that drives creativity and innovation. With regard to tech: as a former computer programmer, I am always interested to see the recent advances and applications of technology. AI is big in 2025. We have a number of finalists and winners this year who are utilizing AI to streamline and improve processes across all areas of business.”
The 2025 InnoVision Awards Winners are:
Community Service
– for innovations that improve life in South Carolina communities:
The Robotics Program at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) – Hartsville
Made up of five student-led competitive teams, GSSM Robotics has reached thousands of K–12 students across South Carolina through mentoring, hands-on outreach, and public engagement. In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, students contributed more than 460 hours of community service by hosting STEM demonstrations, mentoring under-resourced teams, leading workshops and competitions, and even building a custom robot for the Hartsville Christmas Parade.
These students are not just excelling in labs or competitions. They are working to close opportunity gaps by bringing real-world STEM experiences to students in rural and underserved communities. GSSM Robotics shows how student leadership and a passion for technology can create meaningful change.
Education
– for breakthrough methods creating new educational opportunities, experiences.
Figment Learning Labs – Mount Pleasant
Figment Learning Labs, the flagship initiative of Palmetto Innovative Education, is an education technology company focused on revolutionizing health professions training. The company develops immersive, AI-powered learning tools that support clinical education, interprofessional collaboration, and student confidence at every level.
Dedicated to equipping future clinicians with the tools to excel in real-world healthcare environments, Figment Learning Labs combines AI, immersive simulation, and educational innovation to create emotionally responsive virtual patients. These AI-powered simulations allow students to conduct open-ended interviews, practice clinical reasoning, and navigate complex team-based scenarios—all online and at scale.
Small Business
– for innovation by businesses with <10 employees and <$5M in revenue.
SkilRedi – Clemson
SkilRedi is the first AI-enabled, end-to-end learning and content delivery platform built specifically for technician education in advanced technology fields. Born out of Clemson University and a proud SCRA member company, SkilRedi bridges the full talent development pipeline—from K-12 and career and technical education to technical colleges and upskilling for incumbent workers.
Designed for high-impact sectors like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, robotics, aviation, and next-generation mobility, SkilRedi delivers personalized, hybrid, and competency-based programs aligned with real industry needs. The platform leverages AI, immersive XR technologies, digital twins, and interactive simulation to accelerate skill acquisition while supporting cognitive diversity and accessibility across all learning styles.
Sustainability
– for innovative approaches to environmental stewardship.
Advent Innovations – Columbia
Advent Innovations is an engineering company specializing in advanced sensor systems, artificial intelligence, and robotics for agriculture. Their integrated solutions transform on-farm decision-making: increasing yields, optimizing resources, and promoting sustainable practices.
Advent Innovation’s patent pending and trademarked DigiNode-FieldRich system is a full-stack precision agriculture solution. The DigiNode is a solar-powered, GPS-enabled, wireless sensor that monitors seven key soil and environmental parameters in real time. These data streams feed into the FieldRich analytics platform, which uses AI and machine learning to generate dynamic soil maps, deliver real-time alerts, and guide farmers in making data-driven decisions. Easy to install, scalable, and powerful, Advent Innovations’ solutions are built to “marry the art of farming with science” and are paving the way for smarter, more sustainable agriculture across the region and beyond.
Technology Development
– for novel technologies that overcame development challenges.
CuffWay – Elgin
Developed by Shrihan Ganesh Babu, an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina, CuffWay is an innovative medical device startup developing a real-time, automated system that synchronizes endotracheal tube cuff pressure with active patient data which will reduce intubation-related injuries, improve patient outcomes, and set a new standard in airway safety.
CuffWay addresses the critical problem of unsafe cuff pressure levels by dynamically adjusting cuff pressure with each breath, which avoids the constant, high or low pressures that either allow aspirations or damage delicate tracheal tissues. CuffWay improves patient safety, reduces provider workload, and minimizes hospital costs with its reusable, cost-effective design offering a new standard in respiratory safety.
Technology Integration
– for creative use of existing technology to generate new value.
Shaw Circle – Charleston
Shaw Circle is a Charleston-based quantitative hedge fund manager now known for their pioneering work in quantum-enhanced portfolio optimization in South Carolina. The firm aims to elevate the Southeast’s investment ecosystem by introducing robust, technology-driven strategies competing directly with major financial hubs.
Shaw Circle has packaged their 4+ years of research and next generation technology into a quantitative, all-weather strategy for pensions, foundations, and endowments – ultimately unlocking more value for communities statewide.
Young Innovator Award
In addition to the six competitive categories, The Young Innovator Award was presented to the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics for their integration of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium’s From Seeds to Shoreline program which empowers students through hands-on restoration of South Carolina’s salt marshes, combining scientific learning with real-world conservation to cultivate future environmental leaders.
Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
The evening’s highest honor, the Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award acknowledges individuals who’ve made sustained contributions to technology and community advancement in South Carolina. Lisa Strickland, Senior Research and Development Manager of Contec, presented the 2025 award to Myrtle Beach resident Robert Cheng.
Rob Cheng is the founder and CEO of PC Pitstop (now PC Matic), a pioneering virtual company he launched in 1999 after a successful career in the computer industry. Born in New York and raised in Maryland, Cheng studied Operations Research and Industrial Engineering at Cornell before earning his MBA from the University of Texas. He began his career at Texas Instruments, managing international operations by his early twenties, and later joined Gateway, where he rose to senior executive roles overseeing engineering, marketing, sales, and global expansion.
After relocating to South Carolina, Cheng founded PC Pitstop to provide free online PC diagnostics, an early internet success that quickly attracted national attention. Under his leadership, the company evolved into a major software developer, launching PC Matic and building one of the only U.S.-made antivirus engines based on a whitelist model. Today, PC Matic has millions of users, and Cheng continues to drive innovation as he expands the company from its consumer roots into business and government markets.
About InnoVision Awards
Founded in 1999, InnoVision Awards is a grassroots, volunteer-led nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing innovation and technology across South Carolina. Through its statewide events and the prestigious annual InnoVision Awards, the organization recognizes and celebrates outstanding leadership, innovation and technological excellence achievements by businesses, individuals, and organizations driving innovation in the region. 2025 InnoVision Sponsors include Contec, SpartansFirst, SC Council on Competitiveness, The University of South Carolina McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise, Kim, Lahey & Killough Law Firm, the South Carolina Research Authority, Cantey Technologies, Worthwhile, Harvest 21, The Hultquist Firm, Velux, The Tech Founders of York County, ChemAu, Founderville.vc, Robinson Ventures and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science + Mathematics.
About Contec
Contec, Inc. is a global leader in innovative cleaning and contamination control solutions, continually advancing technologies that help our customers work smarter, cleaner, and safer. Learn more about the Spartanburg-based company and their commitment to the people and products that make a difference where Clean Counts Most at www.contecinc.com.
About SpartansFirst and Hear2There
SpartansFirst non-profit supports the entire region as they develop and advance technologies supporting first responders, startup founders and entities advancing accessibility for everyone, particularly those who are visually impaired. SpartansFirst is proud to partner with Hear2There, an accessibility and virtual signage system that assists blind and low vision users to navigate their surroundings. The smart accessibility service utilizes Bluetooth, ultra-wide band beacons, or geo-positioning outdoors to help visually impaired guests locate key features in businesses while also accessing venue information such as menus, directories, websites, and promotions. Venues in South Carolina can request a 30 month free pilot through SpartansFirst at https://spartansfirst.org/.