XactSense named MassChallenge award winner

XACTSENSE, a Warwick startup that builds autonomous 3D laser-scanning drones, was named a MassChallenge Boston 2015 winner and awarded $50,000.
XACTSENSE, a Warwick startup that builds autonomous 3D laser-scanning drones, was named a MassChallenge Boston 2015 winner and awarded $50,000.

WARWICK – MassChallenge on Wednesday awarded $1.5 million to 16 burgeoning enterprises, including one from Rhode Island.
XactSense, a Warwick startup that builds autonomous 3D laser-scanning drones, was named a MassChallenge Boston 2015 winner and awarded $50,000.
“We’re feeling absolutely honored,” Andy Trench, XactSense CEO, told Providence Business News. “It’s an amazing validation of our mission and our plan to use this technology and reach a larger audience with it.”
XactSense drones can be used to survey or inspect difficult-to-get-to infrastructure, such as wind turbines, oil and gas pipelines, or powerlines. The company also has software that creates 3D models of any landscape or structure.
The company has been participating in MassChallenge’s accelerator program since the beginning of the summer. In June, the Boston-based accelerator accepted 128 companies – including XactSense and four other Rhode Island startups – into its accelerator program. The group said 2,250 startups applied.
XactSense was one of 16 winners named Wednesday night in front of more than 1,500 people who gathered for the celebration. Guest speakers included DraftKings CEO and co-founder Jason Robins, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, according to MassChallenge.
“[The ceremony] is what it’s all about,” said Scott Bailey, MassChallenge Boston managing director. “Great startups and a room full of people who helped them get there.”
The 16 winners were broken into two categories: four $100,000 Diamond Winners and twelve $50,000 Diamond Winners. XactSense, a $50,000 winner, was one of three non-Massachusetts startups to receive the award.
Trench says the program has taught him – a self-described inventor – how to become a CEO and entrepreneur. XactSense, he added, is just the tip of the iceberg of what Rhode Island has to offer.
“I think Rhode Island has the potential to be a technology hub and deserves more attention for the kind of the talent and innovation that comes out of the state,” Trench said.
Other Rhode Island companies to participate in this year’s MassChallenge Boston, included Response Technologies LLC, Quitbit, Healthy Roots and Increment.
A full list of this year’s winners can be found HERE.

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