Paragon Innovations is an engineering firm based in Richardson, Texas,[1] that provides product development services for clients across the USA. Since its founding in 1990, Paragon has expanded significantly to become one of the fastest-growing engineering firms in Texas.[2] In August 2021, Paragon Innovations was acquired by TTI, Inc., Berkshire Hathaway company for an undisclosed amount.[3][4]
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Engineering |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Mike Wilkinson (GM & VP) |
| Fate | Acquired by TTI, Inc. |
| Headquarters |  Richardson, Texas, USA |
Key people | Sandy Wilkinson, (CFO retired) Mike Willey, (VP) Allan Rich, (Director of Operations) |
| Services | Electrical engineering Embedded system design Mechanical engineering and industrial design Business incubator |
| Website | ParagonInnovations.com |
Services
edit- Electrical engineering
- Embedded system design
- Mechanical engineering and industrial design
- Business incubator
Paragon has developed products for a wide range of industries, with specialization in:
- Medical devices
- Video / Camera technology
- All things IoT
- Portable wireless devices
Notable Projects
editNotable Paragon Innovations projects include:
- A video display controller for a first-of-its-kind flat-screen presentation system for 3M [5]
- An airport video docking system that provides precise guidance information for pilots during the docking process for Siemens[6]
- An automated infusion pump that reduces IV medication errors and provides increased safety for patients for B. Braun [7]
- A transmission system for drilling data for Advantage R&D [8]
- The next-generation Ignition Interlock, a handheld device that is connected to ignitions of cars of repeat drunk-driving offenders, for Smart Start [9]
- A small, lightweight device that can control and monitor the temperature of medications over several days for Kewl Innovations [10]
Relationship with Texas A&M University
editParagon Innovations is an Aggie-owned business, and many of the firm's employees graduated from Texas A&M University. Paragon Innovations sponsors several events hosted by Texas A&M, including:
- the Annual Ideas Challenge,[11] a campus-wide competition in which students submit their ideas for a new product or service.
- the annual MBA Tech Transfer Challenge,[12] hosted by the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship (formerly the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship) at the Texas A&M Mays Business School. The annual competition asks teams of MBA students to assess the commercial viability of an A&M invention.
- the Senior Capstone Experience at Texas A&M Electronic Systems Engineering Technology department. Paragon provides a $10,000 grant that helps undergrad students in this two-course sequence, during which they plan, execute, and control the design and development of a demonstrable prototype device/system suitable for commercialization.
- McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship events.
Mike Willey, VP also is a Sr. Lecturer at Texas A&M University in the College of Engineering.[13] He teaches Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS) and Capstone classes.
Mike Wilkinson, GM & VP, regularly guest lectures in the TAMU College of Engineering and the Mays Business School. He sits on various industry committees including, the ESET IAC, McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship Advisory Council,[14] and the Texas A&M College of Education and Human Development STEM board.[15]
Recognition
edit- Paragon has been granted the Aggie 100 award, which identifies, recognizes and celebrates the 100 fastest-growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world. Paragon received the award in 2005,[16] 2006,[17] and 2010.[18]
- Paragon was twice recognized by the Dallas Business Journal on its Fast Tech 50 list.
- Paragon was recognized by SMU Cox School of Business as the 86th fastest growing business on its Dallas 100 list.[19]
References
edit- ^ Hethcock, Bill (November 24, 2009). "Paragon Innovations plans Richardson move". Dallas Business Journal.
- ^ "Aggie entrepreneurs at the top". October 22, 2010.
- ^ "Paragon Innovations is Acquired by TTI's Exponential Technology Group". September 13, 2021.
- ^ "Exponential Technology Group Announces Acquisition of Paragon Innovations". August 31, 2021.
- ^ "3M Taps Paragon Innovations to Help Create 'First of Its Kind' Meeting Presentation System". June 13, 2001.
- ^ "VDOCKS Visual Docking Guidance System" (PDF).
- ^ "Infusion Pump Reads Bar Codes". May 1, 2002.
- ^ "Paragon Innovations gets Contract". June 7, 2002.
- ^ "Paragon in deal to develop anti-drunk-driving device". July 25, 2002.
- ^ "Paragon Innovations Helps Diabetics Cut the (Refrigerator) Cord, with Design of New Temperature Control Device". March 19, 2012.
- ^ "Paragon Innovations Sponsors Winning Entrepreneurial Idea at Texas A&M Annual Ideas Challenge".
- ^ "Tech Transfer Challenge yields new technology that makes a difference".
- ^ "Lecturer, ESET".
- ^ "Advisory Council".
- ^ "Aggie STEM Board Member".
- ^ "Aggie 100 Awards - 2005". Archived from the original on 2011-10-20. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
- ^ "Aggie 100 Awards - 2006". Archived from the original on 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
- ^ "Aggie 100 Awards - 2010". Archived from the original on 2011-09-09. Retrieved 2011-09-28.
- ^ "SMU Cox 2021 Dallas 100 List". 23 November 2021.