Fourth Revolution Awards

Illinois Ventures Portfolio Companies Win at Fourth Revolution Awards

Mesh++ won Rising Star of the Year, which recognizes a pre-series B round startup company, before its seventh year in operation, for its innovation, creativity, and position as the next great company to emerge in the region. Mesh++ creates solar-powered outdoor mesh networks to provide high-speed internet connectivity for parks and public spaces, outdoor events, construction sites, and in rural or remote areas that lack infrastructure. Gardner started the tech company during his time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his team won the 2017 Paul Magelli Innovation Prize.

Psyonic’s Ability Hand took home Product of the Year, which recognizes a product design that is unique, improves user experience, and has an impact on productivity and the greater good. The Ability Hand prosthetic is the first commercially available bionic hand capable of multitouch feedback. All five fingers of the Ability Hand can individually flex and extend and the thumb also rotates. Importantly, the Ability Hand is affordable and accessible to more patients than other advanced prosthetics.

Presented by mHub and MxD, The Fourth Revolution Awards celebrate regional manufacturing for its leadership and innovation as the industry stands on the brink of a new technological revolution. The ceremony culminated in the presentation of awards to deserving leaders, companies, and industrial initiatives that have made significant contributions to the Midwest region’s manufacturing ecosystem.