CHICAGO INNOVATION AWARDS

Laminar Technologies, LLC

Turbo Tap

By refusing to accept the status quo in an innovationless industry, Turbo Tap has managed to reinvent the beer experience, one pour at a time. In an industry that has remained stagnant for decades, Turbo Tap is a breakthrough new product. Turbo Tap is a high-performance technology that allows a tap to pour a beer in approximately two seconds, as opposed to the previous standard of eight seconds. In addition to this 400% increase in pouring efficiency, Turbo Tap has dramatically increased revenues per keg for its customers by guaranteeing a higher quality pour and an increase of 55% more beer with 40% less staff than traditional taps. Turbo Tap is used at Wrigley Field and the United Center here in Chicago, in addition to countless bars and restaurants, and has left competitors here in the Midwest scrambling to catch up.

Groupon

Collective Buying Power

Groupon features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in cities across the United States. Using the unique concept of collective buying, Groupon is able to promise businesses a minimum number of customers and, in turn, can offer deals that aren’t available elsewhere.

Groupon brings buyers and sellers together in a fun and collaborative way that offers the consumer an unbeatable deal, and businesses a large number of new customers. To date, Groupon has saved consumers more than $22 million and has generated millions in revenue for the businesses it features.

GroupOn currently operate websites in major markets throughout the United States and plan to be in about 30 U.S. cities by the end of 2009.

United Air Lines Inc.

EasyUpdateSM Provided by Centerpost Corporation

The new way to improve flight information communication that has the competition following suit. United Air Lines launched EasyUpdateSM, which is the first service that lets all UAL fliers receive the EasyUpdate benefits of fast and reliable information concerning flights delays and cancellations via the communication device of the flier's choice. With software designed by Centerpost Corporation, this service helps fliers deal with delays or cancellations and has inspired competing airlines to follow suit and offer similar services.

HERO Pipe

Highrise emergency response offensive pipe

High-rise fires present incredible challenges for firefighters while threatening the safety of both civilians and firefighters alike. Previously, fires located above a high-rise’s 12th floor required firefighters to battle the fire either directly on the floor of the fire or from an adjacent building if possible.
The HERO Pipe has introduced a new technology specially designed for the fires that ladder companies can’t reach. With the HERO Pipe, fire departments can effectively battle a blaze from the floor below the fire, keeping fire teams at a safe distance from the fire’s most dangerous areas. The HERO Pipe has won the accolades of firefighters nationwide as well as the attention of the Department of Homeland Security; all of whom recognize this innovation as a powerful tool that will greatly improve fire departments’ ability to combat high-rise blazes while keeping their men and women safe.