Have you heard? World’s first self-sanitizing changing table recognized among 365 nominees
CHICAGO — Chicago-based, female-founded Pluiehas been named one of the winners of the 21st annual Chicago Innovation Awards.
The winners were announced at this year’s event held on Wednesday, November 16th at Morgan Manufacturing. The annual Chicago Innovation Awards is the Chicago region’s foremost recognition of the most innovative new products or services brought to market each year.
Pluie’s business has seen success on the back of its flagship product, the world’s first and only self-sanitizing diaper changing table for public restrooms. Pluie’s innovative changing tables are powered by a patented UV-C light system known to kill 99.9% of germs including influenza, e. Coli, and coronavirus. The UV-C light system activates when the table is closed, sanitizing the changing surface in just 60 seconds after each use. Pluie’s breakthrough design also includes first-to-market features like a retractable safety strap, attached multipurpose diaper bag handles, and a plush foam leak-proof cushion. “The Chicago region continues to be a global leader in innovation” said Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder with Chicago journalist Dan Miller of the awards. “The 2022 winners are solving unmet needs impacting the environment, education, workforce development, healthcare, big data, consumer products, restaurants, logistics, marketing, food, water, finance and even zoology.”
Pluie is committed to Changing the Table™ by making sure all parents and caregivers on the go have access to a clean, safe and comfortable place to change their baby’s diaper in all 4 million public restrooms in the United States.
“As a female entrepreneur who passionately founded this company in Chicago, I couldn’t be more proud of Pluie being named a Chicago Innovation Award winner,” says Gundry. “My vision for Pluie has always been to make a cleaner, safer, healthier alternative for parents and caregivers on the go, and I’m grateful to Chicago Innovation for seeing the critical need for this breakthrough product to protect our most vulnerable in public facilities.”
The winning organizations receive a variety of honors including the opportunity to ring the Nasdaq Bell in New York City, and meetings with the Mayor of Chicago, Governor of Illinois and Cook County President.
This is not the first time Pluie has been recognized and awarded for its innovation. The breakthrough UV-C self-sanitizing changing table design has also been named a Fast Company 2021 World Changing Idea, TIME Magazine Best Invention, and Wintrust Business Spotlight Grand Prize Winner, and Gundry has been named to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founder 100 list.
“365 organizations nominated for this year’s awards,” said Luke Tanen, President and CEO of Chicago Innovation. “As a group, these nominees are responsible for generating over $6.2 billion in new revenues, 11,933 new jobs, and 360 patents from their nominated new products and services. The winners represent the best from this very impressive group.”
Pluie can now be found in 20 states across the country, including Illinois, at museums and amusement parks, hotels, restaurants, healthcare facilities, major retailers, stadiums, schools, and more.
The complete list of this year’s Chicago Innovation Award winners can be found at www.chicagoinnovation.com.
The Chicago Innovation Awards are supported by Diamond Sponsors Wintrust, Accenture, SMS Assist, Molex, Walgreens, Dell Technologies and Intel, along with Gold Sponsor Comcast Business, and other organizations.
