FORT WORTH, Texas (May 5, 2009) – Three emerging companies with prospects of having a global impact were honored today during the TECH Fort Worth IMPACT Awards luncheon.

Environmental Quality Management Associates (environment category), Next Thing Productions/Precision Songs (community) and Magaw Medical (health) were inaugural category winners.

The TECH Fort Worth IMPACT Awards recognize new companies that will better our world by bringing to market new technologies and innovations that will have a significant impact on our environment, community or health. The IMPACT Awards also raise funds to provide entrepreneurship students with scholarships and support business incubation programs for technology-based entrepreneurs.

“We hope that this awards event is as inspiring for the entrepreneurs and the community as it has been for us at TECH Fort Worth,” said Darlene Ryan, executive director. “I am so impressed with the passion and optimism of these entrepreneurs who are working to better our world. It is a privilege to be able to shine this spotlight on them.”
Mark Dennisen, Vice President of Strategic Worldwide Marketing for Texas Instruments, gave the keynote talk: "The Impact of Technology on Our Future."

The winners and finalists:

Environmental
Winner – Environmental Quality Management Associates. EQMA's focus is producing environmentally responsible ways to process waste products. Its process converts food product waste and manure from cows, chickens and turkeys into ethanol, which is sold to fuel distributors.
Finalists – Auto Evolve and ZT Solar

Community

Winner – Next Thing Productions/Precision Songs. Next Thing Productions, Inc. meets an unfulfilled and rapidly growing need in the education of special needs children. Coupling the power of music with proven teaching drills, Next Thing developed Precision Songs, a curriculum that unlocks the learning potential of these children and dramatically improves their lives.

Finalists – Squeejee/Tweet Congress and IADDIC Shelters

Health

Winner – Magaw Medical. Magaw Medical delivers improved patient safety by providing an affordable solution intubation and a quality video laryngoscope at a price point accessible to all providers.

Finalists – CorInnova and MacuCLEAR

TECH Fort Worth was the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors were Fort Worth Business Press, Sabre Holdings, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas Health Research and Education Institute, Texas Instruments, Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University, Cantey Hanger LLP, Chalker Flores LLP, Ernst & Young, Haynes & Boone, HealthPoint, Higginbotham, The Alternative Board, Weaver & Tidwell LLP and Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Sawyer LLP.

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