Universidad Católica is recognized at the 2020 Technology Transfer Awards
The UC Tech Transfer Office was chosen as the Best Transfer and Licensing Office, in addition to being recognized in two other categories. UC spinoff Zippedi received the “Scientific and Technological Entrepreneurship” award while the food company Orizon was recognized under the “Collaborative Company” category for the technology it licensed and created in the university labs.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Corfo and the Chilean Network of Technology Managers (RedGT) have acknowledged the work and impact of the people and institutions making up the Chilean tech transfer ecosystem.
Best Transfer and Licensing Office
UC’s Tech Transfer Office received an award for being the Best Transfer and Licensing Office. From June 2019 to December 2020, UC Tech Transfer triumphantly signed 24 licensing contracts, supported the creation of three science-technology based spinoffs, filed 149 patent applications, registering two industrial secrets and 47 copyrights, and filed 78 invention statements.
Zippedi: a noteworthy science & technology start up
The spin-off Zippedi, founded by Ariel Schilkrut, Luis Vera and Álvaro Soto, UC Computer Science academic, took first place in the category for best technology-based ventures emerging from universities and subsequently transferred to the market.
The startup has developed a robot using artificial intelligence created from the findings of a research project undertaken by the School of Computer Science. Zippedi is used to check prices and the correct positioning of products on the shelves of supermarkets and large retail stores. There are currently some 100 robots buzzing around supermarkets and stores in Colombia, the United States and Chile.
Orizon: a Collaborative Company
The food company Orizon was distinguished under the Collaborative Company category for having successfully licensed and deployed a new frying system specifically designed to produce healthy snacks. This food industry innovation was created by Pedro Bouchon, academic and Vice Rector of Research at the Catholic University of Chile (Universidad Católica) and supported by COPEC UC Foundation and Dictuc.
Flip potato chips are the first product created with this technology which is designed to produce a healthy snack that better preserves nutrients, while maintaining the original color and flavor of the potato. The new technology is applicable to different types of produce such as apples, beets, sweet potatoes and carrots.