Rebellion Photonics wins Wall Street Journal’s ‘Startup of 2013’

06 Nov 2013

Houston, Texas-based gas detection camera developer recognized just four years after launching.

Rebellion Photonics was named “WSJ Startup of the Year” in a ceremony in New York on Monday 4 November, beating two dozen other young companies, for the development of its Gas Cloud Imaging Camera. The camera is based on a snap-shot hyperspectral imaging technology that continuously monitors oil rigs and refineries.

The Houston, TX-based startup, founded by Allison Lami Sawyer, 28, and Robert Kester, 32, develops cameras that can spot poisonous and potentially explosive gas. The cameras can detect at least 20 different gases simultaneously and in real time. Established in 2009, the company began its first full-scale installation earlier in 2013.

Rebellion was one of 24 startups chosen by editors of The Wall Street Journal to participate in the “WSJ Startup of the Year” documentary, which premiered in June. Founded in 2010 and shortlisted for a PRISM Award just a year later, Rebellion began its first full-scale installation earlier this year, offering a monthly subscription service to oil and gas companies.

The finalists for the top spot included SwipeSense of Evanston, Ill., which makes portable, trackable hand-sanitation devices; and Daily Muse of New York, which collects online job listings, career content and profiles from a range of retail, tech and media companies, to help people find jobs.

During the course of the documentary, the Journal editors paired the participating startups with more than 40 business leaders, experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and angel investors. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, Steve Case, co-founder and former chief executive of AOL, and Tory Burch, CEO and designer of Tory Burch LLC, were among the mentors and advisers providing guidance to the participating startups and editors.

Following is a link to video showing Rebellion Photonics founders Sawyer and Kester being presented with their award:

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org.