By Gary S. Vasilash

So what do:

• A system that can defrost windshields on EVs 20x faster than the conventional HVAC system and use 20x less energy
• A nanoparticle-based additive that improves electroless nickel and other plating processes for automotive part improvement
• An EV charging station that is designed for implementation in places like underground parking garages in apartment buildings that is highly cost effective
• A battery based on zinc that not only has potential to replace lead-acid batteries but has applicability in urban electric vehicles

Have in common?

All of these technologies were winners at the recent Global Automotive and Mobility Innovation Challenge (GAMIC).

And while the word “global” in the name of the event could be taken with a shrug because all manner of things nowadays use it even though there is nothing beyond a given country or two, know that:

• The company with the windshield system, Betterfrost Technologies, is based in Canada
• The nanoparticle additive company, coat-it, is in Poland
• The EV charging station from HeyCharge hails from Germany
• The zinc battery development comes out of Enzinc, based in the U.S.

Yes, that’s global.

On this edition of “Autoline After Hours” John McElroy and I spend the hour talking with Derrick Redding of Betterfrost Technologies, Katarzyna Zielińska and Marek Turkiewicz of coat-it, Chris Carde of HeyCharge, and Michael Burz of Enzinc—all startup companies

Not only do they discuss their various technologies, but they provide some insights into how they came to participate in this global challenge.

And you can see it all here.