LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The results are in. UNLV announces the winners of its global contest to help bring business back to Las Vegas after taking a hard hit from the pandemic. 13 Action News anchor Tricia Kean has the top innovators, including a look at a local entry.
PREVIOUS: A look at some of the entries for the UNLV Lee Prize competition
RECYCLED BED SHEETS
It's called the Lee Prize and it goes to five companies. UNLV's Business School is investing a million dollars into five big ideas aimed at fueling a comeback for the hospitality industry by making guests and employees feel safe again.
$250,000 goes to Purlin.
"I felt really excited when the Lee Prize came up because we're a great solution for COVID-19," says Richard Ferrell, president of Purlin.
We first told you about Purlin back in August.
The company produces 100% recycled bedsheets; never used by another guest. An attractive benefit considering the CDC says the coronavirus can cling to pillowcases and sheets.
PURIFICATION SYSTEM
Also receiving $250,000 is Promethium.
It's air purification system, developed by UNLV students, purifies up to 10-times the amount of indoor space compared to other filters currently on the market.
CENTRAL HUB FOR HOTELS
Hotel Data Cloud is getting $200,000.
The company developed a platform that acts as a central hub for hotels to share information on guest preferences.
CONNECTING POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES
Goodwrx gets $150,000.
Its AI-powered platform connects businesses with potential employees and provides workers with easy access to payroll and other important tools.
CLEANING ROBOTS
Receiving $50,000 is Maidbot.
Earlier this summer the company told us how it's already seeing a lot of interest in its robotic housekeepers.
"We've been getting hit with a lot of demand for sanitization and wet cleaning," says Micah Green, Maidbot's president and CEO.
DISINFECTION TUNNEL
$25,000 also goes to the local company UV-19, named a Nevada Innovator.
The company created the Disinfection Tunnel. It sanitizes items using UV light, which is FDA approved and proven to kill most bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
"The interior of that machine is highly reflective. So that light permeates almost everything," says UV-19 Marketing Director David Nichols.
He says the device can be used for all types of businesses.
CHIP STERILIZER
"A casino, daycare, elder care, sports facility. Almost any application," says David.
The company also designed another model called the UV-19 Chip Sterilizer for gaming purposes.
"I think the main thing is once people start to see these kinds of solutions in the properties, they're going to be more comfortable to come back to them," said David.
NEVADA INNOVATORS
Two other companies were named Nevada Innovators.
Simple Technology Inc is receiving $25,000 for developing a way to disinfect indoor air and kill COVID-19 using heat.
Volan Technology is also getting $25,000 for its real-time tracking software, which acts as a contact tracing system for businesses.
