In an effort to encourage technological innovation that advances our sport, USPA is holding a technology development contest in conjunction with its exhibit at the Parachute Industry Association Symposium in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 30-September 3. USPA's Skydiving Technology Advancement Roundup (STAR) competition, co-sponsored by Merit, is a collaborative effort to spotlight and support new technology that benefits skydiving in some way. Finalists will have the opportunity to demonstrate their products at USPA's exhibit booth to compete for a $1,000 cash prize and attention from potential investors.

Entries must be submitted no later than August 1, 2021. The finalists will be selected by August 7 and notified of their opportunity to present. Entrants can present via recorded video if they cannot attend the symposium. More information is available at uspa.org/star or by emailing it@uspa.org.

The competition is open to anyone who manufactures, designs, engineers or promotes technology products in the skydiving field. This includes technology that specifically serves individual jumpers, tools or services specifically designed to aid in the operation of drop zone operations or technology that improves safety or training.