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Peachtree Corners Startup to Participate in Grow-NY Food and Ag Summit Pitch Competition

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Twenty startup companies worldwide, including Peachtree Corners-based Hypercell Technologies, will participate in a live pitch competition.

Grow-NY, the largest global food and agriculture business competition, will host its two-day Food & Ag Summit on Tuesday, Nov. 14, and Wednesday, Nov. 15, in Binghamton, New York.

Twenty startup companies worldwide, including Peachtree Corners-based Hypercell Technologies, will participate in a live pitch competition. Seven winners will be selected to receive a combined total of $3 million in prize money, including a top award of $1 million.

This year, 323 startups from around the world applied for the competition. The 20 finalists were selected in August and have since been matched with a mentor who will lead them through the business development phase of their startup plan.

During the live pitch, each finalist will receive 10 minutes to present their business plans, with the remaining 10 minutes set aside for questions from the panel of judges.  

The Summit will feature an Ecosystem Expo and educational symposium, including thought-provoking panel discussions and fireside chats with industry leaders, startup founders and key players in food and agriculture.

The Summit is designed for startups, companies, investors, resource providers, researchers, entrepreneurs and students interested in food production, sustainability and environmental growth.  

Attendees and finalists from the competition will have the opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry players, potential investors and other resource providers internationally, creating a space that fosters collaboration, adaptation and innovation.

The Symposium sessions will offer advice to startups while exploring the most significant issues facing our food systems, such as the benefits of digital agriculture on small farms, innovations in the dairy industry and the impact of climate-friendly technology systems.

“Through the Grow-NY Effect, upstate New York’s food and farming community has made an impression on a global audience as an ecosystem committed to innovation, economic development, and resilient food systems,” said Jenn Smith, Program Director, Grow-NY.

The awards ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the SUNY Broome Culinary & Event Center, during which the winners of the $1 million top prize, two $500,000 prizes, and four $250,000 prizes will be revealed.

Attendees have the option to participate in the Summit in person or virtually.

To register for the Summit and learn more about the competition and its finalists, visit grow-ny.com. The symposium sessions, which will occur on both days of the Grow-NY Summit in between the dynamic, live finalist pitches, can be viewed here.

Registration is now open. All-access in-person admission is $65 and $25 for students. Group discounts for school trips or community organizations are available, and no one will be turned away due to the inability to pay. The full pitch competition and symposium panels will also be broadcast live online, and virtual attendance is free of charge.

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Smart City and Innovations

Opsys Collaborates with Curiosity Lab and City of Peachtree Corners to Launch Solid-State LiDAR Technology

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Technology with lights and camera to monitor traffic near the pedestrian bridge in Peachtree Corners

Curiosity Lab and Opsys showcased the technology live at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona

The City of Peachtree Corners — one of the nation’s first smart cities powered by real-world connected infrastructure and 5G — recently collaborated with Opsys, developer of the world’s most advanced pure solid-state scanning LiDAR sensor, to launch and deploy the company’s Advanced LiDAR Technology Opsys Sensors (ALTOS) Gen 2 LiDAR at Curiosity Lab.

This marks Opsys’ first real-world deployment of the ALTOS, the company’s first deployment with a municipality and the company’s first deployment in the United States.

The ALTOS Gen 2

As a pure solid-state LiDAR, the ALTOS Gen 2 has no moving parts, enabling best-in-class performance with high resolution and extreme reliability with a 4D point cloud from the device’s specific field of view.

The pure-solid state characteristics make the unit more robust, avoiding mechanical failures associated with moving components and allowing the unit to have 24/7 operation and pass a 50g shock and full vibration test. The ALTOS Gen 2 brings a simple, customizable design to market that can be used for different applications and unique shapes with a low-power consumption, without sacrificing performance.

“The ALTOS Gen 2 represents the future of smart city technology,” said Rafi Harel, chief executive officer of Opsys. “This collaboration with Peachtree Corners and Curiosity Lab gives us the unique opportunity to showcase the reliability and efficiency of our pure solid-state LiDAR technology in a real-world environment, which will soon improve safety and traffic management for cities across the globe.”

“As our first real-world deployment and first U.S. deployment, we are looking forward to working with Peachtree Corners as our test and demo site to then launch into the U.S. market,” he continued.

Flexible design and cutting-edge technology

Opsys’ new technology boasts a higher partial differential equation (PDE) and a larger array than other models, which gives the unit improved detection range and a higher resolution of objects. The improved optics reduce unwanted light, while improving uniformity and enhancing illumination. In addition, the unit’s optimized ASIC/processor allows for advanced processing of data, as well as lower power dissipation and cost.

“Opsys’ technology was extremely easy to calibrate and deploy in our city,” said Brandon Branham, executive director of Curiosity Lab. “The simple, yet flexible design made it easy for set up, without the need of special custom cables or proprietary connectors. The device behaves like a normal network device which also made it easy for us to integrate into our single-pane-of-glass, smart city management systems.”

“By adding this cutting-edge technology into our infrastructure, we’re able to enhance safety and operational efficiency for our community while showcasing scalable solutions that other cities and industries can easily adopt,” Branham added.

Location and Details

The ALTOS Gen 2 LiDAR units are deployed in the City of Peachtree Corners at the intersection of SR 141 and Town Center Boulevard. Here, the ALTOS Gen 2 units provide precise, real-time data on traffic flow and pedestrian movements, offering significant enhancements to urban safety and traffic management.

Its ability to operate continuously while supporting PoE (power over ethernet) and auxiliary power make it adaptable for different municipal implementations and ideal for use across various industries including intelligent traffic systems (ITS), smart factories, robotics and public safety applications such as perimeter security and healthcare.

 Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona

Opsys debuted the technology at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona November 5-7 in the Curiosity Lab booth. This included a demo with live LiDAR feed from the Peachtree Corners intersection. Representatives of Curiosity Lab and Opsys were also available for interviews at Booth D40 Hall 3 in the USA Pavilion.

For more information about Opsys, visit opsys-tech.com.

For more about the City of Peachtree Corners, visit peachtreecornersga.gov.

To learn more about Curiosity Lab, visit curiositylabptc.com.

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Tech

Gama Sonic Collaborates with PTC and Curiosity Lab to Illuminate Public Spaces

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Elegant solar lights along a city walking path

Gama Sonic’s solar lighting solutions help create a safer, brighter and more sustainable Peachtree Corners

Peachtree Corners, one of the nation’s first smart cities powered by real-world connected infrastructure and 5G, and its innovative Curiosity Lab, recently announced a collaboration with Gama Sonic, a global leader in solar lighting solutions for homes, businesses and outdoor spaces.

The collaboration will bring Gama Sonic’s upscale, durable lights to key area’s throughout the city, marking the company’s first deployment implementing customized, intelligent lighting programming timers that will enhance safety for residents and visitors alike.

The technology

Gama Sonic’s advanced solar-powered lighting solutions bring the ability to quickly deploy additional lighting throughout the city without the extensive process required with traditional hard-wired lighting installations, while also supporting municipalities’ sustainability initiatives.

This solution uses integrated solar panels within the light fixtures themselves for an aesthetically pleasing look that stores solar energy for consistent performance on cloudy days — eliminating one of the key challenges often associated with solar lighting systems.

Peace of mind

Gama Sonic’s lighting solutions have already been deployed along the trail head of the city’s walking trail system, where the lights are programmed to shine brighter during the early morning and late evening hours.

“The peace of mind that well-lit public areas bring to our community is invaluable,” said Peachtree Corners City Manager Brian Johnson. “By installing Gama Sonic’s solar lighting solutions, we’ve been able to improve resident and visitor safety without facing the usual challenges of disruptive construction or extended project timelines, which can be costly, that can come with other types of lighting.”

“Gama Sonic’s innovative approach ensures that residents utilizing the trails during early morning or late hours enjoy higher visibility, providing an enhanced user experience,” Johnson continued. “We are looking forward to seeing our residents enjoy these lighting solutions at the trail head.”

A forward-thinking collaboration

Gama Sonic’s technology represents a forward-thinking collaboration that underscores the city’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance the quality of life for Peachtree Corners residents. The deployment also serves as a model for other municipalities looking to combine sustainable solutions with public safety in areas like schools, parks, public squares, recreational areas and a wide array of other public spaces.

“Peachtree Corners was our ideal choice for this collaboration because of its visionary approach to creating a truly smart city that leverages innovative technologies to improve the lives of its residents,” said Gama Sonic General Manager Itay Parness. “The city itself is the perfect environment to demonstrate how our solar-powered lighting solutions can seamlessly integrate into urban spaces and enhance both safety and sustainability. This collaboration showcases the potential of our technology to not only meet the needs of today’s cities but to push the boundaries of what’s possible in public lighting.”

To learn more about Gama Sonic’s solar lighting solutions, visit gamasonic.com/commercial-solar-lighting-solutions.

 For more about Curiosity Lab, visit curiositylanptc.com.

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Tech

Tech Company Builds its Brand through Sci-Fi Film Competition

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This year’s Sci-Tech Film Challenge runs September 20–22. Registration is open until September 6.

What does a global cloud infrastructure provider have in common with science fiction filmmakers? The uninspired may say, “nothing.” But those with an eye toward creative marketing, unique brand-building and innovative partnerships will understand right away that companies seeking new ways of reaching customers are willing to try different approaches. That’s why tech industry leader OVHcloud has partnered with Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival to sponsor its 48-Hour Sci-Tech Film Challenge.

Billed as “the free-style rap battle of filmmaking,” this competition is one of the most unique 48-hour film challenges in the world, according to Amanda Ray, founder and CEO of the Multicultural Sci-fi Organization (MCSFO) and organizer of the festival.

Press materials for the contest explain that participants have 48 hours to create a sci-fi short film from start to finish, incorporating cutting-edge technology into creative storytelling.

Tech company partnerships

The festival plans to partner with different tech companies for each year’s challenge in order to support evolving technologies. For two years in a row, OVHcloud has fulfilled that role. Similar to the way innovative tech has been introduced in shows like “Star Trek” over the years, the 48-Hour Sci-Tech Film Challenge enables festival partners to see how their products or services might be integrated into a narrative. This collaboration gives filmmakers experience working with brands in a legal, responsible and respectful manner while still being creative, according to the news release.

Registration is open through September 6 at filmfreeway.com. The competition begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20 and filmmakers have until 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 22 to write, shoot, edit and upload their completed film. Films will be judged according to categories such as: Adherence and Best Use of Required Element, Artistic Merit and Technical Achievement according to the release.

There will be a live screening of the finalists’ films during the sci-fi festival, held October 4 to October 6 in Peachtree Corners, with winners announced at the awards ceremony.

From Wu-Tang to AOL to OVHcloud

Sherin Baday, senior director of marketing for OVHcloud, has an extensive history of working with a diverse roster of companies.

“I worked in New York in the music industry for 10 years in marketing, management, promotions, all types of duties around the spectrum, working with a couple of record companies. Then from there, I moved to America Online,” she said.

One of her most noteworthy clients was rap/hip-hop pioneers Wu-Tang Clan.

“That was the hardest transition I think anyone can have culturally. And then from there, it was a string of SaaS companies,” she said. “It wasn’t as sexy as the music industry. … My first job after Wu-Tang I worked at a fixed asset software company.”

Even though it didn’t present the same excitement as working with performers such as Ghostface Killah, Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Method Man, Baday applied some of the same principles of branding she learned back in the late 90s.

“Regardless of the product, it needs a face. It needs that human element, a recording artist, a musician, a film — that’s all a product,” she said.

screenshot from a sci-fi short film of a man and woman looking at each other
Scene from Artificial Invitation by Dragon Lily Productions

Unique brand building

In the same way that artists must connect to fans, a fixed asset company needs a way for potential customers to identify with it.

“How do I bring a personality into this product and let people relate to it or find it endearing, or be able to say, ‘Oh, I remember them because of this video that they did about this little mascot that caught my eye,’” she said. “I was always trying to think of ways to humanize it and that’s what I’ve been doing across all these SaaS companies.”

Baday came to OVHcloud when it opened its U.S. office nearly seven years ago.

“We’re in a field where the hyper scalers are huge,” she said. “We have AWS in our backyard here in Herndon. Google is here, so we’re not trying to really compete with them on paper — we know our space. We’re trying to build a name for ourselves, build some awareness and find our own group of customers.”

But building a brand isn’t an overnight thing, she admitted.

“I think working with people like Amanda [Ray of Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival] and programs like this help with the memory recall,” she said. “Because you remember programs like this instead of an ad or a website or an email that you get from a company you don’t know or that you’ve never heard of.”

So Baday is looking for different ways to build awareness.

“Whether it’s supporting a Formula One team or an English soccer club, how can we stick out and really get people to know who OVHcloud is and that we are a human company?” she said.

Measuring success

Baday didn’t seek out the partnership with the film festival. She and Ray met at an OVHcloud event.

“I met Amanda, heard about her program, what she was doing, what her plans were, what her vision was for the next five, 10, 15 years and I thought, ‘This is exciting!’” she said. “This is a group of innovators trying to break into the film industry and create these sci-fi films.”

Baday thought about the OVHcloud motto, “innovation for freedom” and realized that building new technology to help its customers fit perfectly with the vision of new technology that could be presented in science fiction films.

“A lot of these tech companies just try to target other tech companies right now, but everyone needs technology — the music industry, the arts industry, literature — they all need to put their films somewhere. They all need to back up their music,” she said. “So, when I spoke with Amanda, I realized … [the short film competition] could give us a face to show that we’re all about technology and improving people’s lives with it.”

OVHcloud is donating technology for the challenge and at the same time it’s building awareness about who the company is. The filmmakers get a demo of sorts of the technology that will keep their creative works safe.

Last year’s winner went beyond simple product placement to show how a service like OVHcloud fits with future tech. We won’t give away the plot, but those who are curious can check out the three-minute video online.

Beyond the traditional RoI model

At this early stage in the partnership, OVHcloud isn’t looking for a dollar-for-dollar return. It’s much more subtle than that.

“You don’t really realize the impact of a partnership or sponsorship like this until someone from a newspaper reaches out saying, ‘I want to do an interview because I think this is amazing,’” she said.

Of course, her bosses are looking to add to the bottom line.

“They’re like, ‘Well, what do we get from this? Did we get any sales? How many people came up and said they’re going to buy a server from us?’” she said. “To me, it’s not about that. It’s about building the awareness and partnering with this film community and growing our name as a supporter of the arts. And that’s a whole different level of return I can’t show, but I think it’s important when we do get interview requests or as the media grows around it.”

Right now, she’s asking her superiors to be patient. “I would say it’s going to all be worth it in the end.”

The Atlanta Sci-Fi Film Festival takes place October 4-6 and is FREE with advance registration. Visit atlantascififilmfestival.com for more information.

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