The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention announced Soilcea from Tampa, Florida as the first place winner of its 2018 Cade Prize. Soilcea is creating CRISPR-edited citrus trees that are highly tolerant to the citrus industry’s deadliest diseases. The Soilcea team, led by CEO Yianni Lagos, accepted the $25,000 Cade Prize award.
Each of the Final Four contestants were awarded cash prizes for their placement in the Cade Prize. Antibiotic Adjuvant from Gainesville, Florida won $15,000 for second place. Standing Wave Reformers also from Gainesville was awarded $7,500 for third place, and InitWeather from Orlando FL won a cash prize of $2,500 for fourth place. In addition to the cash prizes, the four top finishers receive legal services for specific amounts from the law firm of Saliwanchik, Lloyd & Eisenschenk. Finally, the top placed Gainesville winner won $5,000 in business services from Cox Communications.
This annual Inventivity Bash celebrates ideas and innovations that have the potential to transform lives and communities. For 2018, the theme was Illuminating Invention. The evening’s program was designed for exploration along with table presentations featuring the Final Four teams, demonstrations, hands-on interactives, a scavenger hunt, and the awarding of the Cade Prize. Funding for the prize has been provided by the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.
