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Wednesday, March 26, 2025
About USPACalendar of EventsSTAR Tech Contest

In an effort to encourage technological innovation that advances our sport, USPA held its biennial 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 is a collaborative effort to spotlight and support new technological innovation that benefits skydiving in some way. Finalists had the opportunity to demonstrate their products at USPA’s exhibit booth to compete for cash prizes and attention from potential investors. The overall winner selected by a three-judge panel was Funjumpr who received the $1,000 prize. airlogOne received Honorable Mention along with a $200 prize, funded in memory of Nathan Henry, previous STAR participant. Receiving the People's Choice Award was PLAKO by Flight-1. More details of the finalists' tech along with photos of the products and the contest will be published in an upcoming Parachutist article soon.

 

Thank you to our sponsors!

Additional Honorable Mention In Memoriam: Nathan Henry D-33566

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

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

THE 2025 STAR WINNERS

The winner and the recipient of the cash prize was awarded to Funjumpr - John Bindel

Honorable Mentions

airlogOne - Andreas M. Jankowsky

People's Choice

PLAKO - Ian Bobo, Flight-1, LLC

Other Submissions

2025 STAR Finalists

Free Fall Accessories AADvance Sport AAD - David Woodrull 
Clarke Air Sports Debrief Tool - Noah Clarke
SKYCRU - Sheldon Sadler
Paratag - Andrew Hossack and Daniel Arnett
SimVenture - Norman Eisenköck

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