Saturday, October 23, 2021

STAR

On October 6, USPA held its second Skydiving Technology Advancement Roundup Awards, also known as the STAR Awards. Co-Sponsored by Merit, The STAR Awards are a collaborative effort to spotlight and support new technology that benefits the sport of skydiving. Although regularly occurring in conjunction with PIA Symposium, this year STAR went virtual after PIA symposium was canceled. Finalists competed for a $1,000 cash prize and potential attention from investors. In addition to the winner chosen by the judging panel, USPA also awarded an Honorable Mention award and a People's Choice chosen from a video showcase on YouTube tracked by "like" clicks.

The 2021 USPA STAR winner and the recipient of the $1,000 cash prize was awarded to Ben Lussier of ExitCountTM!

A runner-up "Honorable Mention" award went to the entry with the most points for innovation, Nathan Henry's miniaturized TCAS system for canopies. Additionally, the People's Choice was awarded to the entry with the most votes on USPA's YouTube channel. With over 1,400 views and 431 likes the winner of the People's Choice award was Smart Watch Altimeter by Ricardo Ospina from Skydive Colombia.

You can still check out more on each of this year's finalists at the YouTube links below:

Judging

Our judging panel will select a winner from the finalist who will provide a 2 minute video presentation to be displayed on this page for public viewing. Among the judging critera are:

Innovation: How unique or new is the concept? Is this a new way to solve something or just another version of something that is already in the market?
Functionality: Does the submission work as described? Is the product free of bugs with all parts complete?
Usefulness: Does the innovation solve a practical problem experienced by a good number in the skydiving community?
Impact: Could this solution be widely usable/adoptable by the greater community?

The judges will announce the winner and special mentions at the end of the competition day in the exhibit hall.

WINNERS FROM STAR 2019...

At the Symponsium in Dallas February 2019, USPA invited PIA attendees to come watch the presentations each afternoon, and finalists were interviewed by Skydive-TV. At the conclusion of each day's demo, the judges announced the *winner for that category. In addition, People's Choice and Sigma's Choice Awards were announced at the conclusion of Thursday's demos.

Drop Zone Tools

Tuesday, February 5, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
*Big Picture, Spot Assist
Gearpro, Jody Moore, LLC, Merit's Choice
Revl X Video System, Revl

Jumper Experience

Wednesday, February 6, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
*ColorAlti, Freefall Data Systems LLC
Skydiving 401 app, Rhythm Skydiving
Spacesuit Skydive, Earth and Space Exploration LLC, People's Choice

Safety and Training

Thursday, February 7, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
*SkydiVR, Freefall Club
Online Training Program, AUV School of Skydiving and Bodyflight
SAS Situational Awareness System, TRIPLE-S