Are you a fan of HBO’s Silicon Valley? Whether you find it hilarious or painfully relatable, you can thank HBO for its release in 2014. Ever used Squarespace to build a website or Apple Pay to make a quick purchase? Both debuted in 2014, reshaping the way we interact with technology. And if you're fascinated by artificial intelligence and machine learning, 2014 was a landmark year with the introduction of DeepMind Technologies, which has since propelled advancements in healthcare, data optimization, and ethical AI.
Closer to home, 2014 was a banner year for tech innovation in Alberta, with several standout companies making their debut:
Ironsight: Revolutionizing field operations for energy producers and services companies, Ironsight made it possible to track industrial field services from service requests to scheduling, execution, and documentation.
RWI Synthetics: With its Synthetic Modelling Platform (SMP), RWI introduced AI-driven computer modeling and virtual reality visualization. The platform allows decision-makers to explore large-scale simulations of new infrastructure, emergency scenarios, and the impact of electric vehicles on the energy grid, offering a powerful tool for reimagination and innovation in uncertain times.
Trust Science: Leveraging machine learning, Trust Science provides credit scoring for individuals with limited or no credit history, enabling automated, fairer financial decisions.
ZayZoon: Offering Wages On-Demand, ZayZoon empowers employees to access their earned wages before payday, complemented by a financial wellness platform that helps them manage their finances wisely.
Veerum: This team has developed a cutting-edge SAAS solution that consolidates operational asset management into a single, user-friendly platform for seamless tracking.
2014 was also a remarkable year for the ASTech Awards, recognizing excellence across various sectors including farming, robotics, and healthcare:
Dr. Alex Ramirez-Serrano was honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Applied Technology and Innovation Award for his groundbreaking work in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the Schulich School of Engineering. Founder of the Unmanned Vehicles Robotarium laboratory and 4Front Robotics, Dr. Ramirez-Serrano has been at the forefront of developing drones and custom field vehicles for deployment in confined spaces, as well as advancing medical robotics for minimally invasive surgery and rehabilitation.
iConnectivity Technologies Inc. won the Innovation in Information and Communications Technology Award for revolutionizing the music industry with its iConnectMIDI product. By integrating iOS technology with digital music interfaces, iConnectivity has created tools that allow musicians to seamlessly connect and network their devices, enhancing their creative capabilities.
Surface Medical Inc. was recognized for Outstanding Science and Technology Startup with its development of CleanPatch, a pioneering medical technology that restores hospital mattresses to a cleanable state, reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections. Under CEO Fabrizio Chiacchia's leadership, the company has tackled critical healthcare challenges, improving patient safety and extending mattress life. Surface Medical continues to lead in hospital hygiene innovation with projects like the CleanCare Project, further mitigating infection risks in healthcare environments.
This post is in partnership with Technology Alberta and the ASTech Awards, celebrating the impact of 35 years of innovation in Alberta, tying our past to our present. Our thanks to Lisa Carter and Horazio Carletti for their research and support.
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