HiberSense, designers and manufacturers of a smart climate solution that delivers balanced comfort throughout any space, has been named the top prize winner of AUTM’s Pitch and Play Business Plan Competition announced at the association’s 2019 annual meeting in Austin, Texas. AUTM is a global non-profit dedicated to moving academic innovations from the lab into the marketplace.

HiberSense won the prestigious award for having developed a highly intelligent integrated climate control solution that brings comfort to every room while significantly reducing energy usage. The patent pending HiberSense system, ideal for both new construction and retrofit applications, uses wireless sensors combined with machine learning and automated vents to properly maintain temperature throughout the space. This ensures maximum room-by-room comfort and HVAC energy savings of up to 40 percent. There are countless commercial facilities and roughly 70 million homes in the United States alone plagued by the discomfort and inefficiencies of conventional HVAC systems.

AUTM is the non-profit leader in efforts to educate, promote and inspire professionals to support the development of academic research that changes the world and drives innovation forward. The community is comprised of more than 3,000 members who work in more than 800 universities, research centers, hospitals, businesses and government organizations around the globe. AUTM celebrates this mission-critical function annually through Pitch and Play – the AUTM Venture Challenge, where academic-affiliated technology companies pitch their business opportunity to a panel of seasoned venture investors. HiberSense was awarded the grand price of $10,000. 

“We are proud that HiberSense was awarded first place from an impressive field of over 60 formidable technology businesses founded through university programs,” said Bob Fields, HiberSense COO. “Through this peer-to-peer affirmation, we are more confident than ever before that HiberSense is poised to disrupt the home comfort control environment in 2019 with the best solution available.”