On Nov.13, the South Carolina InnoVision Awards announced the 2025 winners at its annual awards ceremony, held at the Palmetto Club in Columbia. Six finalists with ties to the University of South Carolina were recognized at the celebration, with three winning top honors in their categories.
The winning businesses are led by undergraduate students in the South Carolina Honors College, alumni and graduate students from the Molinaroli College of Engineering, and alumni from the Darla Moore School of Business and the Honors College.
“At the University of South Carolina, innovation isn’t confined to a lab or classroom. It is part of our DNA,” says Stephen Cutler, vice president for economic development. “Our faculty, students and alumni are leading the way in translating discovery into impact. This recognition by InnoVision underscores the strength of USC’s impact on our state’s ecosystem.”
Winning categories
Technology Development: CuffWay, a medical device startup developing a real-time, automated system to reduce intubation-related injuries, improve patient outcomes and set a new standard in airway safety
- Led by Honors College students Shrihan Ganesh Babu and Santana Tripuraneni
- Learn how Ganesh Babu is developing this invention as a Carolina Top Scholar.
Technology Integration: Shaw Circle, a hedge fund developing next-generation quantitative trading and quantum computing applications to help establish South Carolina as a center for financial and technological innovation
- Led by alumni Jordan Fowler, CEO and Co-CIO, (Moore School); Carter Burns, Co-CIO, (Moore School); Ryan Henry, COO, (Moore School and Chinese studies) and Jack Oberman, quantitative analyst, (Honors College)
- Learn how Fowler and Burns founded the hedge fund while studying finance at USC.
Sustainability: Advent Innovations, an agricultural engineering company that combines advanced sensors, AI and robotics to deliver real-time, data-driven solutions that help farmers optimize inputs, boost yields and practice sustainable, climate-smart agriculture
- Led by Molinaroli College alumni and students Ritubarna Banerjee, president, (Ph.D.); Malichi Flemming II, senior hardware engineer, (B.S. and Ph.D. candidate); Corey Leydig, senior software engineer, (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. candidate)
- Learn about Advent Innovations’ sensors and software that use AI to help farmers.
About InnoVision
InnoVision Awards is dedicated to advancing innovation and technology across South Carolina. The organization recognizes and celebrates outstanding leadership, innovation and technological excellence achievements by businesses, individuals and organizations driving innovation in the region.