Local tech firm a winner in $6M Verizon competition

A Dayton-area technology start-up was announced Wednesday as one of 12 winners in Verizon’s 2015 Powerful Answers Award competition.

Kettering-based Smart Barn by PrecisionLSF was named as one of four winners in the “Internet of Things” category in Verizon’s third annual competition, which challenges entrepreneurs to provide innovative solutions that deliver social good.

This year’s Powerful Answers Award contest consists of three categories, with a top prize of $1 million in each category. One first runner-up and two second runners-up in each category will receive $500,000 and $250,000 prizes, respectively, for a total of $6 million awarded by Verizon.

The three $1 million winners will be announced Dec. 9 at an awards presentation hosted by The Talking Dead's Chris Hardwick in San Francisco.

“This is huge for Smart Barn. We’re incredibly fortunate to be winners in this competition, Verizon’s funding is going to help us reach more farmers and take Smart Barn to the next level,” said Smart Barn founder Andrew Klein in a statement.

Last year, this newspaper reported about Smart Barn's sensor-based system to wirelessly monitor and control farming facilities' power, water and feeding systems. The technology helps farmers protect their animals, produce and grains through remote monitoring and alerts via their smartphone or tablet computer.

Smart Barn was selected from more than 1,400 candidates from 70 countries.

About the Author