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In an effort to encourage technological innovation that advances our sport, USPA is holding a technology development contest in conjunction with its exhibit at the Parachute Industry Association Symposium in Daytona Beach, Florida, March 10-14, 2025. USPA’s Skydiving Technology Advancement Roundup (STAR) competition, co-sponsored by Merit, is a collaborative effort to spotlight and support new technological innovation that benefits skydiving in some way. Finalists will have the opportunity to demonstrate their products at USPA’s exhibit booth to compete for cash prizes and attention from potential investors. Entries must be submitted no later than January 31. The nine finalists will be selected by February 3. More information is available by emailing it@uspa.org.

 


THE 2023 STAR WINNERS

The winner and the recipient of the cash prize sponsored by Merit was awarded to Doug Hendrix for  Jump Run Assist!

Honorable Mentions

Judging was tough this year, and the difference in points between the top finalists was literally half points! As a result, two honorable mentions were awarded:
Arthur Amarra, AON2 Ltd.- Project Obsidian
Nathan Henry, Henry Engineering - Mobile TCAS

People's Choice

Tal Swicegood - Coach Jump

Other Submissions

Entries were strong this year, so check out the others who did not win the contest, but might be a fit for you!

Anton Nikitsiuk - SkydiverPal
Majed Abouhatab, P.E. - KBR
Andrea Vu & Mark Costello, Earthly Dynamics LLC - Dropmate
Ryan Albashian - PaxFast Deployment Bag 
Arnon Yaar - Skylander

Judging

Our judging panel will select a winner from the finalists. 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.

(Products that have been in market as generally available for sale or use for more than two years—or since the previous STAR competition—are not eligible for submission. However, if significant improvements and/or enhancements that are truly unique and innovative have been made to the original product, then the new model or version will be eligible for submission.)

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.

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

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