Global Security Challenge competition has chosen the five most promising security startups in the world

London, UK, 29 October 2007 - THE organizers of a competition to find some of the world’s most promising security technologies today announced five finalists.

The Global Security Challenge (GSC) is organised by MBA students at London Business School and supported by Smiths Detection, the US Department of Homeland Security, ONR Global, BAE Systems, Accenture and SAIC among others.

The five businesses are competing to win a $500,000 grant, which is sponsored by the US Government’s Technical Support Working Group (TSWG), and mentorship from leading venture capitalists, including Paladin Capital Group. The winner will be announced in London on November 8.

The five finalists have developed technologies that can identify people through biometric analysis of how they type, scan the eye to assess a person’s health, protect against multiple explosions, detect and identify people at night without illumination and recognise faces despite changing light, facial expressions and the presence or absence of beards, moustaches or spectacles.

The finalists are:
Psylock (Germany) – identifies users through biometric analysis of typing behavior
Auxetix (UK) – fortifies protection against multiple explosions through helical-auxetic nets
NoblePeak Vision (USA) – enabling the rapid detection and identification of people and objects at night without active illumination
EyeMarker (USA) – scans the eye to rapidly and non-invasively assess a person’s health
XID Technology (Singapore) - face synthesis technology for real-time 3D rediction/replacement in a 2D video

This is the second Global Security Challenge. Last year’s winner was the London-based Ingenia Technology, which has developed technology that mimics the biometric principle in humans but applies it to inanimate objects such as documents, goods and packaging allowing them to be authenticated and verified.

The organizers are pleased by the substantial number and high quality of entrants from around the world this year. Simon Schneider, co-director of the GSC, said: “We are especially happy about the increase of European submissions in this year’s Challenge. Over 40 per cent of the entrants came from European universities, research labs and entrepreneurs’ garages. This is a strong indication of the intellectual strength and creativity that European innovators can bring to the area of high-tech security solutions.”

Stephen Phipson, Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection, said: “Technology has driven the growth of Smiths Detection. Contributions from academia and start-up businesses give us a competitive edge and help us to develop a world-leading business serving the homeland security sector. We are delighted to be associated with this exciting global initiative.”

ENDS

Global Security Challenge
The Global Security Challenge (GSC) is an annual competition to find the most promising security start-up in the world.  The founders have gained experience in the security technology sector with IBM, Sagem Défense Sécurité and the National Security Council at the White House.  The mission of the GSC is to stimulate technological innovations that make airports, cities and enterprises safer without encroaching on civil liberties.  The GSC was founded by London Business School students and is supported by Accenture, BAE Systems, Bosch, TSWG, Smiths Detection, ONR Global, US Department of Homeland Security, PegausBridge Fund, BWI and SAIC. The exclusive partner universities of the GSC are Mississippi State University, National University of Singapore, Technical University of Munich and London Business School. For more information visit: www.globalsecuritychallenge.com

Smiths Detection
Smiths Detection is part of the global technology business Smiths Group. It offers advanced integrated security solutions for customers in civil and military markets worldwide and is a leading technology developer and manufacturer of sensors that detect and identify explosives, chemical and biological agents, weapons, and contraband. Its advanced technology security solutions also include Smiths Heimann x-ray imaging systems, millimeter-wave technology and a specialist software supply business for the management of large sensor and video surveillance networks. Separate business units focus on related products for the life sciences, and food manufacturing industries. For more information visit www.smithsdetection.com

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Laura Peek
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