BNY Mellon and Innovation Works have announced the winners of this year's UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, which has offered funding to four Pittsburgh-area startups that are working to provide a social good or service.
It marks the sixth iteration of the challenge, an effort backed by funding from the Bank of New York Mellon Corp., a firm that serves as Pittsburgh's second-largest bank by deposit market share.
Nine semi-finalists advanced to the final round of this year's competition, three for each of the main categories of the challenge that called for startups working in economic justice, racial equity and sustainability efforts.
A panel of external judges, all of whom helm from the Pittsburgh area, crowned this year's winners.
"Truly, every time we do this, it's so powerful to really celebrate just the technology and innovations and this community of UpPrize believers who are really just powering our tech ecosystem," Andréa Stanford, Pittsburgh regional manager of BNY Mellon Pennsylvania, said.
In the economic justice category, business assessment platform Sustainible IO took home the top prize of $75,000. The competition's racial equity winner, affordable electronic stethoscope developer Korion Health, also received a $75,000 check as did the challenge's sustainability category winner, Farm to Flame Energy, an energy startup that converts biostocks into diesel-alternative fuels.
Farm to Flame Energy also received an additional $75,000 investment for the distinction of being the challenge's grand prize winner.
Testa-Seat, developers of 3D-printed products for those who have disabilities, received a $50,000 check due to its high-ranking score beyond its category placement in the sustainability section of the challenge.
