Austin, TX (PRWEB) May 19, 2015
SparkCognition, the world's first Cognitive Security Analytics company that develops cutting-edge Machine Learning, has been named to the 2015 Austin A-List by the Austin Chamber of Commerce through its Innovate Austin initiative and South by Southwest Interactive.
The A-List companies, selected by a panel of independent judges from more than 275 nominations, were officially revealed and named to the annual Austin A-List of Hottest Startups in ceremonies held last week at ACL Live at the Moody Theater. The 12 honorees for 2015 were named in three investment stage categories: emerging, growth and scale, and represent key sectors of innovation including big data, biotechnology, hardware, software, consumer packaged goods, music technology, agriculture, medical devices, e-commerce and mobile app development.
“Central Texas is home to some of the world’s most innovative companies, and the Austin A-List celebrates this global leadership. In the rapidly evolving world of cognitive computing, SparkCognition is leading the industry with groundbreaking products for cyber security and predictive analytics. To be named to the A-List is a quite an honor, and further validation of what we are building,” said Amir Husain, Founder and CEO of SparkCognition. “Our continued success and growth is a product of our world-class technology and our team. We continue to stand out in a field of innovators, and are proud to be doing so from a hub for technological innovation, Austin, TX.”
“Austin is rich with innovative startups that are primed for rapid growth. The A-List platform shines a spotlight and amplifies our diverse and rich talent, helping to maintain our lead as the most innovative, entrepreneurial region,” said Michele Skelding, SVP of Global Technology and Innovation at the Austin Chamber of Commerce. “That’s what drives economic growth and job creation, and what continues to drive our global competitiveness.”
Recognition as an A-List Company is intended to increase the visibility of Austin's most fundable, scalable and innovative regional startups, and drive increased venture capital funding to Central Texas. Since the inception of the annual A-List awards, there has been a combined $358,670,000 in investment for all A-List honorees. Recent venture capital activity for Central Texas companies continues to show momentum: first quarter 2015 funding is 31% ahead of the same period last year, and at $265.33 million, is the highest quarterly total since the first quarter of 2012.
Skelding, who co-hosted the awards ceremony added: “Austin’s innovation ecosystem has never been stronger, and the A-List winners and participants are poised to make their mark, elevating our region’s ability to continue to attract and retain top innovative companies, talent and capital.”
The awards ceremony featured remarks from co-host and SXSW Interactive Director Hugh Forrest as well as several high profile speakers. This included Gene Austin, Chamber Chair and CEO and President of Bazaarvoice, Bob Metcalfe, Professor of Innovation at The University of Texas at Austin, Hank Seale, Founder and Chairman of Q2, and a special presentation from Erik Qualman, #1 Best Selling Author and 2015 Pulitzer Prize Nominee.
"Entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial spirit are powering so much of what makes Austin's current economy so exciting," said Hugh Forrest, Director, South by Southwest Interactive. “Given that so much of what we do at SXSW Interactive focuses on startups, I'm delighted that we are a part of this event and can help with the Austin Chamber's ongoing goal of strengthening Central Texas as a hub of innovation."
About SparkCognition
SparkCognition, Inc. is the world's first Cognitive Security Analytics company. Its groundbreaking MindFabric platform and Cognitive Fingerprinting technology model physical and virtual assets, continuously learn from data, and derive intelligent insights to secure and protect assets round the clock. SparkCognition is based in Austin, Texas and is backed by Michael Dell's private investment firm, MSD Capital, L.P., T. B. Pickens III, CEO of Astrotech, California-based venture firm, The Entrepreneurs' Fund (TEF) and Alameda Ventures.
The company has won numerous awards, including IBM's InnovateApp 2014, and has been featured in prominent publications including Forbes and Fast Company. CIO Review selected SparkCognition as one of the top companies enabling the safety and security of the Industrial Internet. For more information on the company, its technology and team, please visit http://www.sparkcognition.com.
About the Austin Chamber
The mission of the Austin Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for its more than 3,000 members. For more information about the Austin Chamber of Commerce visit http://www.AustinChamber.com.
About SXSW Interactive
An incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, the SXSW features five days of compelling presentations from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable line-up of special programs showcasing the best new apps, Page 3 of 3 hardware, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to experience a preview of what is unfolding in the world of technology. Visit http://sxsw.com/interactive.