Meet the four winners of Loudoun County’s $150K innovation challenge

Economic Development Authority of Loudoun County, Virginia (EDA) has announced the winners of its $150,000 innovation challenge.

The Loudoun Economic Development Innovation Challenge was announced back in January to promote entrepreneurship and biz growth from for-profit companies based in the county. Of 71 qualified applications, eight were ultimately selected to pitch — virtually — for five minutes to a review committee, per a press release. Four winners were selected to win innovation grants, with three winners receiving $25,000 each and one receiving the grand prize of $75,000.

“The high caliber of applications shows the amazing opportunities for innovation in all corners of Loudoun County,” said EDA Executive Director of Economic Development Buddy Rizer in a statement. “In addition to businesses we have worked with in the past, we were excited to see so many new faces in the pool of applicants.”

Calypso AI, a software company that builds tools for AI and data science systems, took home the grand prize. The company is currently headquartered in California, but Tyler Sweatt, managing director for the Calypso AI’s lab, is an Ashburn resident.

“As we expand out of our first home in Silicon Valley, the access to a highly talented workforce, robust infrastructure, and diverse amenities made Loudoun an easy choice for Calypso’s headquarters location,” Sweatt said.

Each runner-up took home $25,000 grants each. They are:

• Sterling-based ResourcePath, a diagnostic and contract research lab that provides cancer testing, pathology reviews and clinical trial support
• Leesburg-based Bartrack, a developer of beverage sensor that tracks inventory of draft beer products
• Sterling-based Qore Performance, developer of a wearable hydration and cooling system for gear worn by athletes and tactical users