News Feature | February 12, 2015

Verizon Awards $1.5 Million To HIT Solution Companies

Katie Wike

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

Healthcare IT News For VARs — January 16, 2015

Verizon, as part of its Powerful Answers Award, has gifted $6 million to companies making an impact on our world.

Some promising health IT ideas are getting a big boost thanks to Verizon. First place winners of Verizon’s Powerful Answers Award will receive one million dollars, while two others in each category will receive $250,000. “A good idea can come from anywhere. We believe good ideas combined with powerful technology can help solve the world's biggest problems,” explains Verizon’s website. “The Powerful Answers Award is a multi-million dollar challenge to entrepreneurs, companies and thinkers worldwide to provide innovative solutions in Education, Healthcare, Sustainability, and Transportation.”

In the area of healthcare, the million dollar winner was ORGANIZE, which hopes to improve organ waiting lists by combining state databases and simplifying the process of organ donation. According to their website, 21 Americans die daily while waiting for organs. “This system has the potential to save so many lives,” says Bryan Sivak, chief technology officer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Soon we’ll wonder how we ever did it any other way.”

Receiving $250,000 was Aldatu Biosciences, which through drug resistance diagnostics, matches HIV patients with the most effective drugs. According to the website, this process saves both time and money for the healthcare industry. Aldatu Biosciences says winning the award also gives them the opportunity to connect with a variety of network, business development, and marketing experts, as well as partners across Verizon’s network to explore ongoing collaborations.

Third in the healthcare category, and also receiving $250,000, is Talkitt, a voice-to-voice app which allows users to translate distorted pronunciation into understandable speech. This allows those with speech disabilities to communicate freely.

“We’re blown away by this year’s winners,” said John Doherty, SVP, Corporate Development, Verizon. “All 12 winners have shared impressive ideas and solutions and we look forward to seeing them succeed and working with them to leverage our technology and help make the world a better place.”