The winner of the inaugural Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey competition is now a finalist for one of the most prestigious awards in entrepreneurship.
Gary Kellstrom, founder and CEO of Geared Power Biotech, has been announced as one of the finalists for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2026 New Jersey Award.
Geared Power’s Biotech BioGuard UVC™, a pathogen-inactivation mask that kills viruses at the source to prevent the spread of respiratory disease in hospitals, was the winner of Manufacturing Counts’ Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey award in 2025.
The competition, launched by NJBIA and NJMEP, promotes the importance of manufacturing in New Jersey.
"It is a tremendous honor to be a part of the Entrepreneur Of The Year program as a New Jersey Regional finalist," Kellstrom said.
"It is very exciting, and this recognition is a direct result of the potential that our BioGuard UVC can have on preventing the spread of respiratory disease in hospitals, emergency departments, and long-term care facilities. Its impact will benefit patients, public health, hospitals, and payers.”
Now in its 41st year, the EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities.
An independent panel of judges selected 35 finalists based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.
Eight regional award winners will be announced on June 4 during a special celebration.
The winners will then be considered by the national independent panel of judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®.
“Their leadership and vision are shaping the future of business in the region, and we’re excited to celebrate their success,” says Joel Wagner, Entrepreneur Of The Year® New Jersey Program Co-Director.
“Their passion, perseverance and impact exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship in New Jersey, and we’re proud to recognize them,” added Taylor Mulrane, Entrepreneur Of The Year® New Jersey Program Co-Director.
The full list of 2026 New Jersey finalists for the award include:
- Hemen Vimadalal | 1Kosmos
- Sean Magee | Anchor Trading
- Surekha Pailla | Arohak Inc
- Jim Huang | Ascendia Pharmaceutical Solutions
- Matthew Cifelli | Attain PT
- Diana Betancourth | Babco Services LLC
- Susan Levinson, PhD | BioAegis Therapeutics, Inc.
- John McGuckin | Clio Snacks
- Corey Apirian | Davinci Micro Fulfillment
- Jamie Giovinazzo | Eat Clean Bro
- David Seelinger | EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services
- Vincent Annunziata and Austin Markowski | Everest Pallet
- Greg Banbury | For Wellness
- Gary Kellstrom, Jr. | Geared Power BioTech
- Sherry Shao and Frank Zhang | GenScript Biotech Corporation
- Ken Ehrman | Halo Collar
- Sam Rockwell, Justin Samuels, and Jeremy Reich | Happi Co.
- Bo Liang | IVIEW Therapeutics Inc.
- Bala Shan | Lorven Technologies, Inc
- Syed T. Husain | Made Scientific
- Adam L. Michaels | Mama's Creations, Inc.
- Vinod Borsadiya | Pioneer Life Sciences, LLC.
- Seth Flowerman and Devin Stagg | PLT Health Solutions, Inc.
- William Vanderveer | Redefine Healthcare
- Victor Hakim | Rely Home, Inc.
- Himanshu Bhatia | Ricovr Healthcare
- Christopher J. Schaber | Soligenix, Inc.
- Michael Marrazzo, Jr. | Summit Facility Solutions
- Ari Strulson | TicketOS
- Jesus Repetto | Titanium Tours
More information on the finalists can be found here.
More information on BioGuard UVC™ can be found here.
