--- title: "PR: Finalists in 13 Categories Announced for 20th Annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards" description: "PR: Finalists in 13 Categories Announced for 20th Annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards" --- [![logo_modo-300x107](https://blog.modopayments.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo_modo-300x107.png?width=136&name=logo_modo-300x107.png)](https://modopayments.com/) - ![blog-five .jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2684535/Alande/blog/blog-five%20.jpg "blog-five .jpg") [Demo Topic 5](http://globalyogi-2684535.hs-sites.com/alande-blog-one/topic/demo-topic-5) # Blog Title Five [Read More](http://globalyogi-2684535.hs-sites.com/alande-blog-one/blog-title-five) - ![blog-eight .jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2684535/Alande/blog/blog-eight%20.jpg "blog-eight .jpg") [Demo Topic 3](http://globalyogi-2684535.hs-sites.com/alande-blog-one/topic/demo-topic-3) # Blog Title Eight [Read More](http://globalyogi-2684535.hs-sites.com/alande-blog-one/blog-title-eight) - ![blog-eleven .jpg](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2684535/Alande/blog/blog-eleven%20.jpg "blog-eleven .jpg") [Demo Topic 1](http://globalyogi-2684535.hs-sites.com/alande-blog-one/topic/demo-topic-1) # Blog Title Eleven [Read More](http://globalyogi-2684535.hs-sites.com/alande-blog-one/blog-title-eleven) Categories - [modo in the news](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/modo-in-the-news) - [bruce parker](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/bruce-parker) - [interoperability](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/interoperability) - [partnerships](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/partnerships) - [product innovations](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/product-innovations) - [press releases](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/press-releases) - [/checkout](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/checkout-2) - [payment method acceptance](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/payment-method-acceptance) - [loyalty](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/loyalty) - [investment](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/investment) - [conferences](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/conferences) - [speaking engagements](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/speaking-engagements) - [auth shopping](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/auth-shopping) - [#paymentsgeekthoughts](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/paymentsgeekthoughts) - [announcements](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/announcements) - [Infinicept](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/infinicept) - [chief solutions officer](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/chief-solutions-officer) - [executives](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/executives) - [jonathan hughes](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/jonathan-hughes) - [lynn holland](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/lynn-holland) - [mark lenhard](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/mark-lenhard) - [modo board](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/modo-board) - [partnership](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/topic/partnership) # PR: Finalists in 13 Categories Announced for 20th Annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Posted by [Modo](https://blog.modopayments.com/press/author/modo) on Jan 24, 2017 9:18:28 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals (March 10-19, 2017) has announced the 70 finalists for its 20th annual Interactive Innovation Awards, taking place on Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. CDT at the Hilton Austin Downtown (Grand Ballroom, 6th Floor). The SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards celebrates the incredible speakers, trends, innovations, and ideas that are brought to Austin each year. This event is open to all SXSW Interactive, Film, Music and Platinum badgeholders. New to the Awards ceremony this year is the second annual [David Carr Prize](https://www.sxsw.com/news/2016/david-carr-prize-essay-entry/), awarded for the best essay submitted from writers, bloggers and journalists. Created last year to honor the late David Carr, a friend and great contributor to SXSW and the journalistic community, the essay topic follows Carr's interest in the convergence of new media, technology, and culture. **The 2017 SXSW David Carr Prize Finalists are:** Mike Armstrong, "The Heart of Something Heartless" James Brown, "Learning in a Community of Black Boxes" Megan Cole, (no title) Dan Murrell, "Gerald 1.0" Gabriel Wardell, (no title) The ceremony also will include the induction of [Kara Swisher](https://www.sxsw.com/interactive/2017/kara-swisher-inducted-2017-sxsw-interactive-hall-fame/) into the SXSW Interactive Hall of Fame. Swisher is the executive editor and co-founder of Recode, host of the Recode Decode podcast, and co-executive producer of the Code Conference series. Swisher's career sits at the nexus of what's most important to SXSW Interactive: Innovation and inspiration in the tech industry, and — perhaps more importantly than ever — uncompromisingly honest journalism. In addition to the Awards ceremony, this year's finalists will have the opportunity to exhibit and demo their work at the [Interactive Innovation Awards Finalist Showcase](https://www.sxsw.com/apply-to-participate/interactive-innovation-awards/) on Sunday, March 12 from 11-5 p.m CDT at the Hilton Austin Downtown (Salons C, D, and E, 4th Floor). The Finalist Showcase offers SXSW Interactive, Music, Film, and Platinum badgeholders a first look at the most exciting tech developments, including achievements in digital design, health technology, privacy and security, 3D printing, virtual and augmented reality, plus a chance to place their votes for the People's Choice Award. Registered media and official Awards jurists will have exclusive access to the Showcase and finalist demos that morning, from 10-11 a.m. CDT. "We are proud to not only honor the year's best, most forward-thinking projects, but to bring that innovation to the fingertips of each and every SXSW conference attendee during the Finalist Showcase," said Hugh Forrest, Chief Programming Officer. "I'm particularly impressed at how many of these projects are implementing next-generation AI technology. This AI theme is one that will be very strong throughout SXSW 2017." A panel of judges comprised of industry peers and experts reviewed hundreds of applications to determine this year's finalists. Each entry was graded on four criteria: creativity, form, function and overall experience. The Finalist Showcase provides an in-person experience for the judges to complete their second round of voting to determine the winner of all 13 categories, Anyone with a SXSW Interactive, Film, Music and Platinum badge can vote on the People's Choice Award at the Finalist Showcase on Sunday, March 12. The SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards will reveal winners in each of the 13 categories plus six additional honors, including: Best of Show, People's Choice, Breakout Trend of the Event, Speaker of the Event and Meme of the Year. **The 2017 SXSW Interactive Innovation Award Finalists are:** HEALTH, MED & BIOTECH *Awarded for the new technology that best improves the quality, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care in health and medicine* [DIY CRISPR Kit](http://www.the-odin.com/diy-bacterial-gene-engineering-crispr-kit/) by The ODIN, San Francisco, CA [miniPCR](http://www.minipcr.com/) by Amplyus, Cambridge, MA [Molekule](http://www.molekule.com/) by Molekule, San Francisco, CA [PRIME Needle Free Injector](https://www.portalinstruments.com/) by Portal Instruments, Cambridge, MA [Voxel Bay](http://voxelbay.nchri.org/) by the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH INNOVATION IN CONNECTING PEOPLE *Awarded for the best new way to connect and communicate with others* [Blendoor](http://www.blendoor.com/) by Stephanie Lampkin, San Francisco, CA [REWORD](http://reword.it/) by Leo Burnett Melbourne, Southbank, VIC, AUS [Samsung: Bedtime VR stories](https://www.unit9.com/project/samsung-bedtime-vr-stories) by Unit9, London, UK [Sydney Opera House #comeonin](http://www.awardentry.com.au/2016/sydneyoperahouse/comeonin/) by DDB Group Australia, Sydney, NSW, AUS [The Superbook](http://www.sentio.com/) by Sentio, San Francisco, CA INNOVATIVE 3-DIY *Awarded for making 3D printing technology more accessible or affordable, or to the Maker using such technology in new and exciting ways* [3Doodler PRO](http://www.3doodlerpro.com/) by 3Doodler, New York, NY [The FormBox](http://www.mayku.me/) by Makyu Industries, London, UK [Miia™ Truly Personalized CPAP](http://www.metamason.com/) by Metamason, Los Angeles, CA [Onyx One 3D Printer](https://markforged.com/onyx-series/#onyx-one) by Markforged Inc., Cambridge, MA [Original Prusa i3 MK2](http://shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printers/59-original-prusa-i3-mk2-kit.html) by Prusa Research, Prague, CZE MUSIC & AUDIO INNOVATION *Awarded for 2016's best device or service that changes and improves the way we listen to and enjoy music* [HOLOPLOT Wave Field Generator](http://www.holoplot.com/) by Holoplot GmbH, Berlin, DEU [KSM8 Dualdyne™ Cardioid Dynamic Vocal Microphone](http://www.shure.com/americas/ksm8) by Shure Inc, Niles, IL [OSSIC X](http://www.ossic.com/) by OSSIC, San Diego, CA [The Sensel Morph](http://www.sensel.com/) by Sensel, Mountain View, CA [Vochlea: Protoyping Music](http://www.vochlea.co.uk/) by George Philip Wright, Leeds, UK NEW ECONOMY *Awarded to those redefining the exchange of goods and services, from the sharing economy, to virtual currency, to micro-finance, to mobile-device-payment systems and beyond* [Blinker App](http://www.blinker.com/) by Blinker Inc, Denver, CO [Clever Kash](https://www.asb.co.nz/cleverkash) by ASB Bank, Auckland, NZL [Funderbeam](http://funderbeam.com/) by Funderbeam, Tallinn, EST [Modo's COIN® Operated Digital Payments Hub](https://newmodo.wpengine.com/) by ModoPayments, Dallas, TX [Tokken: Cashless Cannabis app](http://tokken.com/) by Tokken, Denver, CO PRIVACY & SECURITY *Awarded for 2016's most progressive accomplishment in the way we go about securing our data and ensuring our privacy* [Almond 3 Smart Home Wi-Fi System](https://www.securifi.com/almond3) by Securifi, Reno, NV [D3CRYPT3D](http://www.d3crypt3d.net/) by PADECA LLC, Chamblee, GA [RedMorph Inc](https://redmorph.com/index.html) by RedMorph Inc, Cranberry Twp, PA [TunnelBear for macOS and Windows](http://www.tunnelbear.com/) by TunnelBear, Toronto, ON, CAN [Wire's End-to-End Encrypted Platform](https://wire.com/) by Wire Swiss GmbH, Zug, CHE RESPONSIVE DESIGN *Awarded for excellent digital design, creating the best-integrated interaction in terms of content, aesthetics, and functionality* [Johnson & Johnson CaringCrowd](https://www.caringcrowd.org/) by CI&T and R/GA, New York, NY [Lawren Harris: Where The Universe Sings](https://wheretheuniversesings.com/gettheapp) by Secret Location | Bell Fund | White Pine Pictures | TVO | YesTV, various locations [Milk Street Kitchen](http://recipes.177milkstreet.com/recipes/sticky-toffee-pudding#overview) by Upstatement, Boston, MA [My Grandmother's Lingo](https://www.sbs.com.au/mygrandmotherslingo/) by SBS Online Australia, Sydney, NSW, AUS The Outline by Code and Theory, New York, NY SCIFI NO LONGER *Awarded for the coolest scientific achievement or discovery that before 2015 was only possible in science fiction* [Airobotics Automated Drone Platform](http://www.airobotics.co.il/) by Airobotics, Petah Tikva, ISR [DuoSkin](http://duoskin.media.mit.edu/) by MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA | Microsoft Research, Redmond, WA [Nanit Thinking Baby Monitor](http://nanit.com/) by Nanit, New York, NY Navii / LoweBot by Fellow Robots, San Francisco, CA [Quantum UIX](http://www.quantuminterface.com/) by Quantum Interface, Austin, TX SMART CITIES *Awarded for innovations in eco-friendly or sustainable energy, transportation, and IoT technology, making life in the connected world a smarter, cleaner, greener, and more efficient Internet of Everything* [Cota Tile](http://www.ossia.com/cota/) by Ossia, Bellevue, WA [Otto](http://ot.to/) by Otto, San Francisco, CA [SoftServe BioLock](http://demo.softserveinc.com/biolock) by SoftServe Inc, Austin, TX [Starship Technologies' Delivery Robots](https://www.starship.xyz/) by Starship Technologies, Tallinn, EST [V3](http://www.pavegen.com/product/) by Pavegen, London, UK STUDENT INNOVATION *Awarded to the student with an exceptional interactive technology project or startup; both of which are the future* [BionicM - Powering Mobility for All](http://www.bionicm.com/) by Xiaojun Sun | JSK robotics lab at The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, JPN [Blinks](http://move38.com/) by Move38, New York, NY [Landscaped Vision: Augmented Reality and the Chinese Garden](http://zhihanying.com/work/landscaped-vision/) by Zhihan Ying | Art Center College of Design, Sunnyvale, CA [The Internet of Consciousness](http://www.internetofconsciousness.com/) by Elaine Cheung | Art Center College of Design, Los Angeles, CA [Undercurrent 360](http://undercurrent360.com/) by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC VISUAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE *Awarded for content creation and delivery that moves beyond passive viewership by providing a more immersive and engaging entertainment experience* [Beneath the Waves](http://museum.wa.gov.au/btw/) by Periscope Pictures | Hungry Sky | Western Australian Museum, Perth, WA, AUS [Change Perspective](http://rushcardcp.com/) by Narrative\_ | Visa Rush Card, New York, NY [JourneyMaker](http://journeymaker.artic.edu/) by The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL [The Field Trip to Mars](http://www.lockheedmartin.com/generationbeyond) by McCann New York | Framestore New York, NY | Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD ["Through The Dark"](https://throughthedark.withgoogle.com/) by R/GA Sydney | Google Australia, Sydney, NSW, AUS VR & AR *Awarded for breakthroughs in augmented reality & virtual reality technology including the application of new hardware or software which truly make the Virtual a reality* [Meta 2 Development Kit](http://www.metavision.com/) by Meta, San Mateo, CA [Notes On Blindness VR](http://notesonblindness.arte.tv/en/vr) by Ex Nihilo | Archer's Mark | Arte France, Paris, FRA and London, UK [The Mill Blackbird](http://www.themill.com/portfolio/3002/the-blackbird%C2%AE) by The Mill, London, ENG, UK [The Music Room](http://musicroomvr.com/) by Chroma Coda, Melbourne, VIC, AUS [Tilt Brush](https://www.tiltbrush.com/) by Google, San Francisco, CA WEARABLE TECH *Awarded for the new hardware that revolutionizes the convenience, comfort, functionality, efficiency, and fashion of having a device literally "on you"* [BLIND CAP](http://www.blindcap.com/) by Cheil | Samsung | The Spanish Paralympic Committee, Madrid, ESP [Halo 2 Made for iPhone Hearing Aids](http://www.starkey.com/hearing-aids/technologies/halo-2-made-for-iphone-hearing-aids) by Starkey Hearing Technologies | Karten Design, Eden Prairie, MN [LINK AKC™ Smart Dog Collar](https://www.linkakc.com/) by Link AKC, Stamford, CT [Music: Not Impossible](http://www.notimpossible.com/) by Not Impossible, Los Angeles, CA [Radar Pace](http://www.oakley.com/en/radar-pace/) by Intel & Oakley, Foothill Ranch, CA The list of winners from the 2016 competition can be found [here](https://www.sxsw.com/apply-to-participate/interactive-innovation-awards/#innovation-recap). The SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards ceremony and Finalist Showcase is open to all SXSW Interactive, Film, Music, and Platinum badgeholders. Accredited media are invited to attend the SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards and Interactive Innovation Awards Finalist Showcase. The deadline to apply for press credentials is Wednesday, February 8, 2016. All journalists must be on assignment with a media outlet in order to be considered. SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of the interactive, film, and music industries. The event, an essential destination for global professionals, features sessions, showcases, screenings, exhibitions, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2017 will take place March 10-19, 2017. 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