Orlando, Fla. (September 27, 2021) – Over the course of the year, Forbes is working to compile a list of 1,000 people running “sole proprietorships, self-funded companies and pre-revenue startups” who are in a position to truly become leaders in the future.
The UCF Business Incubation Program is proud to have two of our clients named among the first 250 innovators selected. They are Maryann Kilgallon, founder of Pink Lotus Technologies, and Christina Drake, founder of Kismet Technologies.
“Across our system, entrepreneurs are creating the next generation of great companies and it’s significant to see our founders like Christina and Maryann be recognized for their great accomplishments and their potential,” says Carol Ann Logue, director, programs & operations, UCF Business Incubation Program. “Both of these women saw a need and took action to fill that need. It’s remarkable to watch them grow.”
Kilgallon started her company after seeing a story of a child who died after being left in a hot vehicle. She wanted to find a solution and, in August, she launched the POMM Safety Band using sensors to alert caregivers and first responders at more than 5,000 911 centers across the country when something happens to the individual wearing the device.
Drake founded Kismet Technologies in 2019 to develop better antimicrobial materials using nanoparticles. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, her patent-pending technology that kills germs quickly and thoroughly became even more important.
“It is really an honor to be a part of this group of entrepreneurs from around the country and validates the countless time I’ve spent working to launch Kismet,” Drake says.
“For me, I could not have imagined being listed in Forbes as one of the top company founders when I saw that story a few years ago,” Kilgallon says. “This is one more step closer to saving lives.”
Pink Lotus Technologies is located in the Orlando UCF Business Incubator. Kismet Technologies is located in the Lake Nona Innovation District.
The lead into the Forbes Next 1000 states: “America is rich in small businesses. To shine a light on these entrepreneurial heroes, Forbes created the Next 1000. This year-round initiative showcases the ambitious sole proprietors, self-funded shops and pre-revenue startups in every region of the country—all with under $10 million in revenue or funding and infinite drive and hustle.
“Fueled by your nominations and screened by top business minds and entrepreneurial superstars, these new faces will number 1,000 by year’s end. Take a look at Fall 2021’s class of 250 standouts.”
To see the entire Forbes Next 1000 list, click here.
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For more information, please contact:
UCF Business Incubation Program: Carol Ann Dykes Logue, 407-635-9882, carolann.dykeslogue@ucf.edu or Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
Pink Lotus Technologies: Maryann Kilgallon, 407-575-4912, Maryann@pinklotustech.com
Kismet Technologies: Christina Drake, cdrake@kismettechnologies.com
About Pink Lotus Technologies, Inc.: Pink Lotus Technologies is a product development company based in Orlando, Florida, and the producers of POMM®, a wearable technology product. The company was founded by Maryann Kilgallon, an accomplished entrepreneur who actively seeks to find solutions for common problems with a variety of technologies. To learn more about our safety platform, visit: www.pommconnect.com
About Kismet Technologies.: Kismet Technologies is a woman owned, R&D technology development company that was founded with a vision to be a leader in delivering innovative material technologies that help people achieve healthier, safer lives worldwide with minimal impact to the planet. Kismet Technologies is focused on mitigating pathogen spread, through novel viral disinfection, with the use of safe nanotechnology innovations. For more information, please visit kismet-technologies.com
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With seven facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties, and the cities of Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. For the 2017/2018 fiscal years, the activities of these participating firms have helped to sustain more than 6,725 local jobs and have had a cumulative impact of over $725 million on regional GDP and over $1.3 billion on regional sales. During the same period, the program has returned more than $12.00 in state and local taxes for every $1.00 invested in the program. In addition, for every $1.00 of public investment the firms also produced $118 of additional regional GDP and $226 of regional sales. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.
