Junkosha is launching its new look third Technology Innovator of the Year Award. The Award, designed to champion the innovative work of an individual or team working in the delivery of products used within interventional medical procedures or Microwave/ mmWave technologies, will include a new category designed to recognise entries with strong early-stage ideas.
By acknowledging early-stage innovation, this new category underscores the company’s commitment to driving sustainable progress through technological advancement. The winner of this new category will receive a total of $25,000 distributed over a four-year period; $10,000 awarded upon recognition of an outstanding invention in the first year, and $15,000 awarded upon recognition of commercial viability in the fourth year.
Since its inception in 2021, the spirit of the Award remains unchanged – to endorse as many technology innovators as possible through this Award programme. Aligned with the core of the Junkosha brand message, the company is committed to enabling technology innovators worldwide through everything that it does. This year, the Awards will recognise both early phase ideas and late phase developments on the way to commercialisation, meaning it will cover the entire breadth of the innovation life cycle. Through this year long process, the winners will have an opportunity to showcase their work as well as gain investment for their worthwhile project.
Joe Rowan, Chairperson for the Award, explains: "Following on from last year’s Award, which saw Afon Technology win the coveted prize, we saw a clear distinction emerge between early phase and late phase innovation entrants which needed to be recognised. This is why we have created the new category for the third iteration of the Award.
“I am very optimistic that this year's cohort of applicants will embody excellence, particularly in driving cutting-edge innovation advancements that enrich society. As we continually look to advance the next generation of technology for a better future, our promise to enable technology innovators globally continues to live on through these groundbreaking awards.”
The Award is open to companies, individuals and organisations who work in the delivery of products within medical or Microwave/mmWave technologies. Eligible researchers working within a university, research institute, or university spin-off company are also encouraged to apply. Submissions will be evaluated by a judging panel of independent, esteemed experts from across the globe, including:
- Joe Rowan, Chairperson for the Junkosha Technology Innovator of the Year Award
- Nitin Salunke, President and CEO at Supira Medical, part of the Shifamed Group
- Bela Brian Szendrenyi, Senior R&D Design Consultant for Advantest America
- Steve Maxson, Innovation and Business Development, US Extruders
- Chris Hancock, Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Creo Medical
- Sabih Chaudry, CEO at Afon Technology
Last year’s Award involved a number of high calibre submissions including Afon Technology. The company ultimately won for their product, Glucowear, a significant step forward in the development of non-invasive glucose monitoring. Glucowear utilises radio frequency (RF) sensors to provide continuous glucose monitoring. These sensors, strategically placed beneath the base of the wearer's wrist, utilise radio waves to detect and transmit glucose data. The ceremony took place during a YouTube livestream event where Afon Technology was presented with the Award and a $25,000 prize.
Recognising the impact and value of the Award, Sabih Chaudry, CEO for Afon Technology, comments: “Winning this Award was an incredible honour and a real catalyst for growth. The visibility and connections that have come with this recognition have been invaluable. More importantly, it has given us the platform to continue to revolutionise the lives of individuals living with diabetes, offering a needle-free alternative for monitoring blood sugar levels with our non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device.”
