Semi-finalists Named For 10th Annual Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge – Sponsored By SAE International And MI Innovation Alliance

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SAE International

Jan 16, 2018, 13:50 ET


WARRENDALE, Pa. (PRWEB) January 16, 2018 -- The Global Automotive & Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC) has selected 20 innovative start-ups to move on to the Semi-finals of its 10th annual competition, which is sponsored by SAE International and MI Innovation Alliance. The 2018 GAMIC Semi-finalists come from eight U.S. states and five other countries from around the world. All have promising new technologies to advance the vehicles and transportation systems of the future.

To make it to the Semi-finals, the contestants competed in front of 15 judges from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, as well as the startup investment community, during six Quarter-final rounds in late 2017. These events were held in Metro Detroit, Mich.; Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Silicon Valley, Calif.; and virtually by WebEx. Judges from each event scored the teams and chose the top companies to move on to the Semi-finals based on their business plans and the potential impact of their technologies to the mobility industry.

The 2018 GAMIC Semi-finals will take place at Walsh College in Troy, Mich. on Feb. 23. There the companies will compete using feedback from the Quarter-finals judges and expert counseling from over 40 GAMIC mentors to improve their pitches. The top teams will then advance to the GAMIC Finals at SAE International’s WCX World Congress Experience in Detroit’s Cobo Center on April 10.

This year’s GAMIC Semi-finalists are:

  • Arbor Automation: Developer of software solutions for automating CNC manufacturing and product development. Ann Arbor, Mich.
  • ArqBravo Group: Leader in innovative new ways of transporting goods, people and data. Merced, Calif.
  • ATPS: An IP provider for the automotive industry with a new approach to tire pressure monitoring. Birmingham, Mich.
  • ClearFlame Engines: Uses practical, commercial technology to improve diesel engine efficiency and reduce emissions. Chicago, Ill.
  • Eclypses: Micro-token exchange solution provider for cybersecurity protection. Colorado Spring, Colo.
  • Ghost Wave: Creator of improved ADAS radar immune from interference. Columbus, Ohio
  • HAAS Alert: Real-time messaging app developer for connected vehicles. Chicago, Ill.
  • HLX Engines: Develops new type of piston engine technology to improve efficiency and engine optimization. Ann Arbor, Mich.
  • Parkofon: Creator of an all-in-one hand-free parking device that removes the need for meters and other parking payment systems. Alexandria, Va.
  • Pitstop Predictive Maintenance: Predictive vehicle technology that identifies failures before they happen. Waterloo, ON, CAN
  • SafeMode Tech: Lifesaving system provider for drivers and autonomous cars. Tel Aviv, ISR
  • Scientel: Develops advanced NewSQL Super Database for true Big Data. Novi, Mich.
  • Shockwave Motors: Maker of high-performance, three-wheeled, electric roadsters. Russellville, Tenn.
  • SkyBridge Infotech: Mobile app developer for auto dealerships that will help increase the conversion of leads to sales. Tamil Nadu, IN; Warren, Mich.
  • Spectalite!: Cost-effective bamboo and plastic composites manufacturer. Detroit, Mich.
  • Suerv: Developer of solution enabling telematic auto insurance on a large scale. Seattle, Wash.
  • TalaSecure: An IoT device security solutions company. Mountain View, Calif.
  • Trillium Inc.: Cyber security system designer and provider for automotive IoT. Tokyo, JPN
  • Unify B2B Automotive Marketplace: Car services mobile apps developer. Dubai, UAE
  • Vartega: Manufacturer of low-cost recycled carbon fiber used for vehicle light-weighting. Golden, Colo.

GAMIC contestants compete in four technology categories:
1. Vehicle Electrification, V2X Communication and Advanced Mobility
2. Advanced Materials, Sensors, Actuators and Manufacturing Processes
3. Infotainment, Auto Consumer / Value Add and Value Chain / New Business Models
4. New High-Value, Disruptive Technology Innovations

The winning teams from each category receive a total of more than $300,000 of in-kind assistance and cash to accelerate their technologies to commercialization in the automotive and mobility industry. The in-kind prizes include public relations, IP, incubation, financial modeling and investor prep, B2B marketing strategy, and other business development support. Through the competition, all GAMIC finalists receive exposure to senior executives of OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers with decision-making responsibility, budgets, and the need for the types of technologies our winners offer.

Previous GAMIC winners and competitors have gone on to greater success, including inking licensing contracts, launching their products faster, and obtaining additional development funding due to their enhanced visibility.

Major sponsors for GAMIC 2018 include ESG Automotive and Sterne Kessler.

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About GAMIC
The Global Automotive & Mobility Challenge, or GAMIC, is an annual competition for early-stage automotive and mobility companies with new technologies. It was created to: identify innovative companies from around the world; cultivate new technologies and solutions; and hasten their adoption into the automotive industry. Participants get exposure to over 15,000 mobility experts at the GAMIC Finals during SAE International’s WCX World Congress in April. Winners share more than $300,000 in commercialization acceleration services and cash, along with facilitated introductions to the industry’s top decision-makers and influencers.

GAMIC is a sponsored activity of the MI Innovation Alliance, a 501-c-3 corporation.

Shawn Andreassi, SAE International, http://www.sae.org, +1 (724) 772-8522, [email protected]