Four UI JPEC companies win Prometheus Awards

SwineTech was named AgTech and BioTech Company of the Year. CREDIT DARREN MILLER

Four companies with a connection to the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center won Prometheus Awards on Nov. 3 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.

Cybersecurity company ProCircular, a client of the Iowa Small Business Development Center, was named Small-Medium Iowa Technology Company of the Year. ProCircular was founded by Aaron Warner, who received an MBA from the University of Iowa.

SwineTech, founded by University of Iowa graduates Matthew Rooda and Abraham Espinoza, uses technology to prevent pigs from dying because of their mother’s rolling on them shortly after birth. SwineTech was named AgTech and BioTech Company of the Year.

S5G Therapeutics Inc., founded by University of Iowa faculty/staff members Christine Sindt and Gregory Schmidt, created a compound that provides protection to endothelial cells in the cornea. It won Startup Technology Company of the Year. In April, S5G won first place in Iowa JPEC’s Innovation Challenge graduate/faculty/staff/incubator startup division.

OpenLoop, co-founded by University of Iowa graduates Jon Lensing and Christian Williams, was named Software Development Technology Company of the Year. OpenLoop expands access for care to patients across the country by bringing telehealth into the home.

Ten businesses associated with Iowa JPEC were finalists in nine categories for 2022 Prometheus Awards presented by UHY. The Prometheus Awards unite investors and leaders from technology, business, education, and government to celebrate the year’s most momentous achievements.