BostInno | Boston Startup, Tech, Education and News

On June 16th MITX will recognize some of Boston’s finest companies for their hard work and determination as being a top innovator in this city. As you recall new this year MITX has re-branded their popular Technology Awards to encompass all innovation here in Boston — not just in technology — to the MITX Innovation Awards. With award categories like Best “Doing Good” Innovation, Best Bootstrapped Start-Up, Innovative Business Model and Angel of the Year, MITX is recognizing the best and brightest in all of New England whether you are high tech or not.

Leading up to the awards, we will be running a series of posts to introduce you to all of the finalists this year. Of course, there will be companies that you recognize, but take the time to check out the companies that you don’t.

Meet this year’s Best Use of Gamification:

The line blurs. In the old days (pre-Foursquare and SCVNGR), games were specific things that we did instead of work, or as a way to socialize with other people. Those days are over. Gaming concepts are now utilized across a range of applications to drive commerce, enhance social stature, or convey knowledge. This category recognizes applications that have effectively integrated game mechanics and gaming elements into broader applications to improve user engagement and application effectiveness.

CityVoter

CityVoter partners with local brands to create contests where people can vote for their all time favorites.

Isobar

Isobar is a global communications agency with digital at its heart – creating solutions for brands that are idea-led, technologically advanced, and media enabled. Established in 2003, Isobar is the global home for over 2000 of the world’s finest digital pioneers with solid and diverse skill sets across creative, planning, technology and measurement. Through its global network of over 50 offices in 30 markets, Isobar is passionate in helping brands to win in today’s convergent consumer world and service a number of blue chip clients around the world including Nokia, Coca-Cola, adidas, Reebok, Bacardi and P&G. Isobar is part of Aegis Media, the media communications business of Aegis Group plc.

MeYou Health

MeYou Health is a company dedicated to helping people pursue, achieve and maintain a more healthful life by improving their well-being every day. MeYou Health products feature compelling Web and mobile experiences that encourage people to become mindful of small actions they can take every day to engage their body, mind and spirit. They also transform social networks into support systems, activating their potential to motivate and inspire. By engaging, educating and empowering people to make better choices, MeYou Health promotes personal growth and lasting change. Located in Boston’s historic South End, MeYou Health was founded in 2009 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Healthways, Inc. (Nasdaq: HWAY).

Practically Green

Practically Green encourages people to live greener and healthier lives through social gaming and networking tools, including an online quiz and blog. The site is unique in the world of online green outlets because of the use of social gaming, as well as other features that most other sites of its kind don’t have: assessment, personalization, and celebration of achievements. This is exactly what makes it SOCIAL versus a static online resource that solely provides content. Practically Green is also easier to navigate than green/enviro sites that don’t apply a real-world ideology to “going green.”  Plus, the social gaming aspect actually makes it FUN.

SCVNGR

SCVNGR is a game. Playing is simple: Go places. Do challenges. Earn points! You’ll unlock badges and rewards and share where you are and what you’re up to with friends. A challenge is a quick, fun, casual thing to do at a place. Things like checking-in (1 pt), snapping a picture (2 pts), scanning a QR code (2 pts), completing some activity (2-5 pts) or doing the social check-in by bumping phones with your friends (2 pts for each person you check-in with). Of course, the whole fun of challenges is that anyone can create them at their favorite places. Make fun things for your friends to do, for your patrons, or just for random strangers discovering the places you love.