Issuu

E3 FROM PAST TO PRESENT ■ RALPH ECHEMENDIA AKA THE ETHICAL HACKER ■ INNOVATOR PROFILE: RANDI ZUCKERBERG

CRUSHING IT WITH

GARY VAYNERCHUK MARTIN GARRIX MAGIC JOHNSON BROOKLYN DECKER RUSSELL WILSON GORDON HAYWARD SENSI GRAVES

Summer 2018 • Display until Sept. 3, 2018

contents

SUMMER 2018

106 Crushing It with Gary Vaynerchuk By Charles Warner Photos By Win Wolloff for Innovation & Tech Today

Departments 10 Since Last Issue 12 Event Wrap-Ups 14 By the Numbers 16 Quick Bytes 22 Women in Tech 24 S ocial Impact Spotlight

25 Development Tech 26 Politics 138 Product Revolution 145 Events 146 Coming Next Issue 148 Lighter Side

28 Innovator Profile Living Lopsided with Randi Zuckerberg

30 Connected Car Gaming and Autonomous Cars – Working Together 32 S mall is Beautiful 34 More to Sustainability Than Meets the Road 36 H ow Nanotechnology Will Make Car Waxing Obsolete

38 Security 50 R ussell Wilson: Super Bowls and Startups

Ralph Echemendia AKA The Ethical Hacker 42 Blockchain’s Cybersecurity Solution

44 Outdoor+Adventure Tech Gordon Hayward Dominates Court and Console 46 DraftKings Founder Matt Kalish 50 Russell Wilson: Super Bowls and Startups 52 Matt Duff: From Baseball to Bowhunting 54 Gear Guide

56 Health Tech Our High-Tech Healthcare Companions 58 Videogames as Medicine 62 VR’s Emergency Revolution Photo courtesy of Nike

INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2018

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City of

ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENT

W W W . R E T H I N K C L E V E L A N D . O R G

contents

SUMMER2018

66 Gaming+Entertainment Martin Garrix on the Tech of Turntables 68 E3’s History of 1-Ups and Game Overs 70 Uncovering Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger 72 Teen Titans’ Khary Payton 76 L ara Croft Returns in Shadow of the Tomb Raider 78 C all of Duty: Black Ops 4 Shoots for Multiplayer Supremacy

80 Tech Zone SoCal is So Right 82 SoCal Rides the Tech Wave 84 GO-Biz Go! 86 Incubating the Future of Medicine 88 Irvine’s Masterful City Plan 90 Moving at the Speed of Business 92 California’s Connected City 94 U CI Innovation Pipeline Flows with Patents and Products 96 Innovation Loves Company

98 Connected Life I, Companion Robot 102 Level Up Your Gaming Room

106 Business Innovations 112 M aking Entrepreneurial Magic with Magic Johnson 116 F ixing Cryptocurrency’s Customer Service Issue

118 STEM Today

Produced in Partnership with the USA Science & Engineering Festival

Young Robotics Wizards, Running Tomorrow’s Missions 122 Where Stunts Meet STEM

126 Sustainability Today Produced in Partnership with Sustainable Brands

126 Bringing Renewables to Off-Grid Communities Photo JJ Estrada/Kingo

INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2018

Bringing Renewables to Off-Grid Communities 130 The Conference of Change 131 ESPN’s Sustainable Leadership 132 3-Step Guide to Sustainable Gaming 134 S ensi Sells Sustainable Swimwear by the Seashore

136 Art & Tech The Art of Animating Monsters

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Hacking as Seen on TV

Photo Andres Hernandez

By Charles Warner & Patricia Miller

From the big screen to the real world, Ralph Echemendia, also known as “The Ethical Hacker,” distinguishes fact from fiction in the realm of cybersecurity.

Hacker and multimedia magnate Ralph Echemendia has been cracking code for over twenty years. His versatility and specialized insight into the world of cybersecurity made him an ideal choice to serve as technical supervisor for the Oliver Stone films Snowden and Savages. Echemendia’s expertise was also pivotal to the development of the award-winning TV series Mr. Robot, which he found time for when he wasn’t training security experts at the nation’s top tech companies, such as NASA, Google, and Microsoft. In this exclusive interview, “The Ethical Hacker” reveals his biggest concerns about consumer cyber safety, why apathy is dangerous, and how to prevent corporate spies from hacking your mobile devices. Innovation & Tech Today: After working on movies and films such as Savages and Mr.

INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2018

Robot, how do hacking and cybersecurity in mainstream media compare to the real world? Ralph Echemendia: There has been a great deal of attention paid to the fact that we want to make it realistic as much as possible while still entertaining. It’s really about the storytelling, the computers are just sort of the set. Beyond even the press and the media, movies are really the biggest communicator on a global level, so people look at that and they tend to go home thinking they now know something, so it’s very important that it’s done correctly. In the real world, it’s a lot different in the sense that the narrative is different, because it’s not about storytelling. It’s about operations and it’s about making money. It’s about all these different things that really don’t apply to what

“ When you really think about it, only a few years ago, companies didn’t even have to necessarily disclose if they had been hacked.”

Hacking as Seen on TV

you’re seeing on screen. But, there’s an important symbiosis between the real world and what Hollywood is putting out and they’re going to be putting out a lot more related to technology because it’s what’s happening. I&T Today: With all the major hacks that have occured over the past year, how can we expect corporations to improve their cybersecurity practices? RE: I think a big part of that is obviously legislation and regulations helping to push that on companies that have to do it. When you really think about it, only a few years ago, companies didn’t even have to necessarily disclose if they had been hacked. The unfortunate truth of it is that what does “more” actually mean for companies? Because they don’t really have the resources. The human talent is one of the biggest problems. There’s a massive scarcity issue when it comes to that. The solution is really in the people. It’s not to buy more tech, necessarily. Forbes, a couple of years ago, wrote an article about there being a million cybersecurity jobs unfilled on a yearly basis. I saw some other reports saying there are 2.8 million jobs in cybersecurity, most of which will be unfilled because there just aren’t people who have the experience and time in cybersecurity. So that’s the biggest hurdle that companies have to deal with. On the flip side of that, I think the other thing is to empower the actual users, the consumers, with more tools. I don’t necessarily think that it’s a company problem or a government problem. As a consumer, you’re really the problem. At the end of the day, if SUMMER 2018 | INNOVATION & TECH TODAY

Hacking as Seen on TV

I&T Today: How can consumers improve their situation with regard to cybersecurity? RE: It’s a matter of awareness and that’s the real problem. The majority of the stuff that we use as consumers is a matter of convenience. It creates a much more convenient world for us, and so much so that we rely on it. Once we’ve adopted technology the way we have, we can barely remember what it was like not to have the technology. There has to be some level of situational awareness on the consumer’s side, which is a difficult thing to do because most consumers will want to run away from this issue of security. It’s a scary issue, and even just the word “security” is one that instills a level of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. That’s really what we have to address. In fact, that’s been my passion over the last two years: to figure out how to communicate to consumers what their mobile devices are doing. It’s easy enough to block what is known to be bad, but what is more difficult is to inform the user of what they don’t really know is happening and empower them. I&T Today: Do you think the public perception of data security is shifting? RE: I think, slowly, the public perception is shifting at a mass level as a result of all these types of incidents that you hear about now in the news. It’s nothing new. This has been going on before it was reported. It’s just that now it is being reported, and it’s reaching the mass media, and therefore it’s reaching the masses. So, obviously, that is bringing up their awareness.

that’s it? She goes, “That’s the end?” And I said, “Well, yeah. Why? Why are you saying it like that?” She goes, “Well, because when I came in here, I didn’t care. I didn’t know who Snowden was. And now I care. I’m aware of this privacy issue, so now I do care, but you’re not really giving me a solution. Now you’ve made me aware of a problem without giving me the ability to do anything about it.” That was very interesting to hear a 17-year-old say that. That is really the issue, is that at a mass consumer level they might know there’s a problem, but they don’t fully understand the problem, and they don’t know that there’s a solution. They can’t even see a solution.

” It’s a scary issue, and even just the word ‘security’ is one that instills a level of fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”

I&T Today: How does your new app Seguru provide a solution to consumer cybersecurity? RE: The idea is to empower people to become their own security gurus with information. It’s a number of different technologies, but I call it “safeware” because we’ve got all this software and hardware, clouds, malware, and ransomware, but there really hasn’t been any kind of disruptive innovation in consumer cybersecurity since the antivirus. That’s 25 years old and really does nothing in today’s attack vectors and environment.

Unfortunately, they still don’t know what to do with it. I’ll tell you a little story. I worked on Snowden with Oliver Stone and I took my daughter to see the director’s cut of it. She watched the movie and, at the end of it, the first thing that was kind of funny is she turned to me and said, “That’s it?”

So Seguru is a mobile safeware that allows you to visualize what your phone is talking to and where that is in the world, whether legitimate or bad traffic. If it’s bad traffic, it’ll block it. It’ll alert you to something that doesn’t look like you taking communications on your phone. Then it also alerts you to all the things that are supposed to be “normal.” What you’ll often find is that you’re not okay with some of the things that it’s doing and where that information is going. It has to be easily digestible and de-mystify this issue of cybersecurity in such a way that it almost game-ifies the experience for the user.

It was a weird response. What do you mean,

In a way, it’s kind of turning you into a hacker

INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2018

Photo Andres Hernandez

you click and say “Yes” on one of those things, that’s not really on them, that’s on you. And most of the attacks now are targeting the individual more so than the infrastructure of major corporations. I think it’s a combination of being able to address both of those issues.

yourself, with your own data. Spy on yourself, if you will, because that’s what’s happening. All these governments and corporations are spying on you and yet you don’t know what that means. So when you’re allowed to see what your data does and where it goes, you’re in a position to do something about it. When we started the Seguru project and were looking at what our phones were communicating with, we were surprised. I’m an expert and I didn’t know my phone was doing this. I didn’t know my phone is communicating with Russia. Or what the hell is in Thailand? Why is my phone talking to Thailand? And oftentimes it’s because these companies have partners and a lot of it is advertising. A lot of it is tracking you in one way or another, primarily for the purpose of feeding you ads for consumption of whatever products are out there. I think that we are surprised only because we don’t really know what they’re doing with our data, and once you actually start to understand that, then you can either accept it or you can choose not to accept it. I want to be able to give people the ability to say yes or no. ■

Martin Garrix on the Tech of Turntables By Kelsey Elgie Domier Since the popular release of 2013’s “Animals,” Martin Garrix has made quite a name for himself on the electronic music circuit. Over the years, he has performed at massive music festivals, playing his catchy music at events such as Coachella and Ultra Music Festival. Additionally, at only 22 years of age, Garrix has garnered a number of awards, including winning the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Electronic twice. We had the opportunity to interview the star DJ at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado. In this exclusive interview, we discuss the origin of his creativity, the technology utilized during live performances, and how we connect with music. Innovation & Tech Today: You’ve been at the number one spot in DJ Magazine’s Top 100 two years in a row. How does that feel? Martin Garrix: I’m on the list with all my idols, so in my eyes I’m not a better DJ than them. I feel like it’s more like a popularity thing, but I would never see myself as a better DJ then Tiësto or Carl Cox or one of those guys. I&T Today: You said you had to pinch yourself when you hit number 40, that was a couple of years ago. Number one, two years in a row, that’s incredible. You have your own record label, the world’s your oyster. MG: It’s very crazy, everything has happened the last few years. It’s been one crazy roller coaster. Also, I have an amazing team around me and I bring my family and my friends with me, so they’re all part of the journey. Everything that’s happened has been crazy but also a lot of fun. I&T Today: Where would you say you derive a lot of your creative inspiration from? MG: From energy. It’s all about the people I surround myself with, where I am in the world. I get very inspired by different cultures, meeting different people. I love being in Asia. I love traveling in general because every country has something unique, has got different vibes. I always bring my computer with me on the road, and then when I have an idea, I immediately put it in the computer and then I get back home, have a couple weeks off, go back and listen to all the ideas and I cherry pick them. Like, “Okay, I’m just going to finish this one, this one” ... I love traveling and I get a lot of inspiration from traveling.

INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2018

Adam Saldaña

I&T Today: Once you get the inspiration, what happens next? MG: It’s funny because every song starts different. Sometimes I have a melody in my head and I quickly put the melody in my computer with just a simple piano sound and then I go find a sick sound for it afterwards. Sometimes I like a sound so much, I program the sound and I’m like, “Yo, this sound is crazy. What if I do this melody with it?” Sometimes it starts with a kick drum, sometimes it starts with me just playing on the guitar, and sometimes it starts me with humming a melody, recording a voice note. What I like about making music is there is no rule book. Every song starts different, every song is different, and e very song has a story. I&T Today: There must be an incredible amount of tech that goes into your productions. What is the biggest change that you’ve seen over the years? MG: During my first show, eight years ago, it was just me and my manager, and we were touring. Then, the shows got bigger and I needed to expand my team. In one moment, I needed to have a visual guy who did the screens behind me, then I had the lighting guy, then I had the guy who was making sure the microphone and everything works, and you have a production manager and you have a stage manager. It gets really crazy. You need a security guard, then you need two security guards, so the whole change from being a one man army to now, we have a team of 20 people just on the touring side. It is really crazy. But, if I compare even a show from two or three years ago to a show that we do today or last summer, it’s more than just music. Visually, we try to take people on a journey. Light-wise, we have certain moments built-in where it’s just lasers. I want it to be a show, not just a DJ set. I&T Today: You are involved in everything from social media to even the light engineering. How important is it for you to be so engaged? MG: I think it is super important to be involved, because it’s my brand, you know? We are a team and I feel like, as a team, you work together. I trust them, I know it will be fine if they do their thing and if I don’t get involved, but I want them to be involved with me, to give me feedback, and I Photo Rachel Kaplan

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tech zone

SO CAL

SoCal is So Right

RESEARCH PARKS OF THE GOLDEN STATE

Bayer CoLaborator (San Francisco) California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (San Francisco, Berkeley, Santa Cruz) Stanford Research Park (Palo Alto)

Cal Poly Technology Park (San Luis Obispo)

California Institute of Technology (Pasadena)

Innovative Village Research Park (Pomona) UCI Research Park (Irvine)

INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2018

tech zone

SO CAL

California’s innovative footprint consists of far more than Silicon Valley — as you might expect for a state that ranks as the world’s sixth-largest economy. There are eight designated tech zones, in addition to research parks for tech and innovation, the largest being CalTech in Pasadena.

OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA TECH ZONES

// SILICON VALLEY OF THE SIERRAS //

Nevada County

// SILICON VALLEY //

San Jose and Santa Clara County // SILICON SURF //

Santa Cruz // SILICON SHORE//

Santa Barbara // HOLLYWOOD //

Los Angeles, Hollywood // SILICON BEACH //

Westside Los Angeles (SANTA MONICA, CULVER CITY, VENICE, WESTWOOD, MANHATTAN BEACH, MALIBU, MARINA DEL REY)

// SILICON COAST //

Orange County // PALOMAR/BRESCI RANCH BUSINESS PARK //

Carlsbad // SORRENTO VALLEY //

San Diego

(BIOMED AND BIOTECH)

SUMMER 2018 | INNOVATION & TECH TODAY

connected life

COMPANION ROBOT

With the increased rise of robots, from assistive to romantic, humans will have to adapt and learn how these new companions will fit into our world. By Alex Moersen

In a blog post on Medium, Ian Bernstein, founder and head of product at Misty Robotics, claimed that “robots will become our friends, co-workers, and a part of our families.” It’s a nice sentiment, one that has been portrayed in sci-fi films galore and is slowly becoming closer to reality. But, however nice of a thought it may be, what would this implementation of robots actually look like in the real world? How exactly will robots become our friends and family members? Will it be like in A.I. Artificial Intelligence with robots programmed to love their human caretakers? Perhaps it will be like Her, where humans will fall madly in love with artificial intelligence only to discover that it can never replace the “real” thing. In a worst-case scenario, will robots follow the path of Ex Machina, becoming so sophisticated that they hone the ability to manipulate humans for their own gain? There’s a growing comfort and intimacy being established between humans and machines. Companion or assistive robots are sprouting up everywhere: Temi, Pepper, Kuri, Hitachi, and many more. The curious thing about these bots is their personable descriptions. Temi is described as “the personal robot;” Kuri is “insanely cute with some serious technology.” While it may seem odd to give these assistive robots personalities, it makes sense from a

INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2018

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BUSINESS INNOVATIONS

The Art of

CRUSHING IT By Charles Warner

Internet personality Gary Vaynerchuk gives his patented entrepreneurial advice and reflects on the growing worlds of podcasting and cryptocurrency. Photos Win Wolloff

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“ Passion is an unmatched fuel. Add being happy to that and you have a wonderful formula for good health.”

This is just one example of the inspirational words of Gary Vaynerchuk. There’s good reason that people look to him for advice Vaynerchuk is an experienced entrepreneur, author, social media influencer, CEO, and online personality. In his newest book, Crushing It!, he builds on his previous experiences, giving advice while reflecting on our constantly changing business landscape. We spoke with Vaynerchuk about his views on the current state of cybersecurity, the advantages of creating audio content, and advice for the many entrepreneurs that look up to him. Innovation & Tech Today: Tell us how a typical day starts for you. Gary Vaynerchuk: There is no typical day because I travel 30-40 percent of the year. So it could be lots of airports. This morning I woke up in Denver. Tomorrow I’m going to wake up in Chicago. But usually, I wake up and look at my phone, make sure nothing’s on fire. What’s lonely about ownership and being a CEO is you’re the last line of defense. So there’s always a little buzzer that goes off and there’s a sense of anxiety. There are always things going on. I&T Today: Do you find that, on the road, you can actually get more done? GV: 100 percent. Yesterday, I finally did my email. Because I got lucky; the Wi-Fi wasn’t working when we first got in the plane and so I just got into a rhythm and didn’t get distracted and cleaned up my inbox. The airplane is disproportionately the place where I get the most tangible amount of work done, answering questions that are sitting in my inbox. When it was pre-internet on a plane, I really crushed it. Offline, boom. But the internet, you know, you can get distracted. You can get into a Twitter hole, you can get into,

you know, looking up something. You can get caught up. I&T Today: What are your thoughts on the current state of cybersecurity? GV: I think it’s bigger than people realize; I think this is more about being a good person than about security. Most people don’t care about privacy. You think you do, but I don’t think you do, because your actions show that you don’t. We care about the health and wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones and we care about our money, right? As long as those things aren’t compromised. When the 15 biggest celebrities are murdered tomorrow because they gave away their location, I have a funny feeling privacy’s going to start to matter. If your money was stolen by a scam on the internet and you couldn’t get it back, Chase Bank or Wells Fargo says, “Sorry, tough luck,” I think you would start caring about your credit card number. I think what you’re going to see is something completely different; I think all of us are going to start acting in a way that we realize people could see this. Does that stop us from texting dumb s***? No. Does that stop people from sending nude photos? No. We’re still going to be us but I think we’re going to start being more empathetic and less hypocritical of each other as we start all realizing that we’re all flawed. So I have a very different point of view on this. I don’t see this as terrible; I see this as phenomenal. I see that transparency is the gateway to happiness and I’m extremely bullish of the human race over the next hundred years. I&T Today: Tell us a bit about your collaboration with K-Swiss. GV: I got a random email almost two years ago that said, “I’m the president of K-Swiss

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BUSINESS INNOVATIONS

Making Entrepreneurial

Magic By Anthony Elio Photo Leroy Hamilton

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NBA Hall of Famer-turned-entrepreneur Magic Johnson discusses his interest in eSports and increasing diversity in the workforce. Growing up in Lansing, Michigan with nine brothers and sisters, Earvin “Magic” Johnson was given his iconic nickname after a journalist saw one of his high school basketball performances. Five NBA championships, twelve All-Star appearances, and three MVP awards later, Johnson has become established as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. However, Johnson’s work off the court has shown that he carries his enthusiasm and energy into every one of his ventures. Since his retirement from the NBA in 1991, Johnson has become known for his entrepreneurial work, investing in such ventures as SuperHeroic, Starbucks, and The Los Angeles Dodgers. Recently, the world of professional gaming has captured his attention, as in 2016 he became a part owner of the major eSports group Team Liquid. Additionally, Johnson is an investor in Jopwell, an organization that helps companies increase diversity in the workplace. In this interview, we discuss the importance of creating a diverse workforce, the rapid growth of eSports, and how competitive gaming compares to modern sports leagues.

Innovation & Tech Today: Tell me a bit about the formation of Jopwell. What inspired your work with the company? Magic Johnson: The idea for Jopwell was born when co-founders Porter Braswell and Ryan Williams were working on Wall Street and were asked frequently to recruit other candidates who looked like them. They knew top talent was available and thought of the idea to build a diverse professional community where companies could find talent. In 2015, they launched Jopwell. Jopwell is a career platform that helps Black, Latinx, and Native American students and professionals unlock opportunities for career advancement at all career stages. Creating opportunities for underserved communities has been in the foundation of my business since inception, and Jopwell’s mission is to end the minority employment gap plaguing America. Investing in Jopwell was an easy decision. I&T Today: Diversity in the workforce has been a topic of much discussion lately, especially in the tech world. What is one major way Jopwell is looking to solve this issue?

MJ: Jopwell creates true partnerships that empower employers to build more diverse companies by giving them access to top-tier talent and in turn adding viewpoints and voice in their companies that would not be represented otherwise. They also have created a pipeline of talented candidates from historically underrepresented groups, changing the mindset that they are less talented than their white peers. I&T Today: Do you believe that, with companies like Jopwell, we will begin seeing a major shakeup in the tech industry within the next few years? MJ: Disrupting the institutionalized factors that lead companies to struggle with diversity and inclusion is a start. It is something that takes time, but I am encouraged by the progress that has been made as more companies begin to release reports, emphasize transparency, and realize that it’s not enough to just state that diversity matters but actually invest in solutions, like Jopwell, that bring upon change. Companies who are aggressively investing in diversity and inclusion efforts are reaping the benefits of their efforts and setting an example for other companies.

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Produced in partnership with

Sensi Sells Sustainable Swimwear by the Seashore Produced in partnership with

Produced in partnership with

By Patricia Miller

Produced in partnership with

Kiteboarder Sensi Graves discusses female empowerment, swimwear, and the importance of sustainability. In 2012, Sensi Graves was a kiteboarding coach, surfer, and water sports enthusiast. As it was her daily work attire, she realized most swimwear wasnâ€™t doing enough to adhere to the ambitions and lifestyle of female athletes. The realization drove her to create a business focused on environmentally-friendly, fashionforward, and functional apparel that would suit any swimmerâ€™s style. Graves and her team have committed to creating a sustainable line of products that inspires a healthy lifestyle while encouraging awareness of environmental issues. In this interview, Graves shares what inspired her to create her company and details how people can take a more active role in their protection of the environment. Innovation & Tech Today: Why is it so important to you to have comfortable, sustainable swimwear? Sensi Graves: I was in North Carolina when I started the brand and I was in the water every single day. I was

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Graves is a professional kiteboarder, swimwear designer, and environmentalist, as well as an advocate for female empowerment. Her advertising reflects her passion for body positive imagery and highlights her commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle. Graves’ swimwear is not only sustainable and fashion-forward, it’s designed to stay in place during even the most extreme of water sports.

either surfing or kiting or coaching and my bikini was literally my uniform and my recreation outfit. I’m a super active young woman and I wanted pieces that would stay on and look really good, so that was the idea behind it. For the sustainability portion, I was really nervous about getting into manufacturing and honestly it was one of the reasons I didn’t want to start a bikini company. Because I thought we really don’t need more products in the world; we really don’t need more of anything, especially manufacturing in the fashion clothing sector. But then I took a step back and said, “You know, Patagonia, they do it right, they do it in a way that’s inspiring, and they do it in a way that’s really trailblazing.” People are going to need swimwear no matter what, so if I can do it in the right way then we’ve got something. I&T Today: How are recycled plastics incorporated into the fabric of your swimwear?

fabrics are around 80 percent recycled plastic bottles. Econyl uses fishing nets and preconsumer fabric scraps, whereas Reprieve uses only plastic bottles. They work with a lot of people around the world that go and pull these fishing nets out of the ocean and ship them to them. I would like to get to a point where we can take back people’s old bikinis and turn them into something else, but having that blend of spandex makes it really hard to recycle. We are trending towards, for 2019, having the whole line be produced with recycled fabric but 100 percent has seemed a little impossible because no one is making 100 percent recycled fabric for swim at this moment. I&T Today: How do your swimsuits help empower female athletes?

SG: They [Econyl and Reprieve, Grave’s clothing manufacturers] take reclaimed plastic bottles and first they chip them into little tiny pieces. They make everything in these plastic chips and then they break it down and start melting it. Then they spin that into a fiber and then turn that into the pre-fabric.

SG: I think that number one, we seek to empower them just by giving them a tool, which is a bikini, that they need to actually go out and do what they love. The idea is to create swimwear that stays on so you don’t have to worry about it. You know that you look good, you feel confident in what you’re doing, and that translates to what you’re doing on the water – whether that be surfing, kiting, competing, or just going out and having fun.

None of the new fabrics are 100 percent recycled because they have to blend it with spandex and spandex is, I think at this point anyway, not possible to recycle. You need that stretchiness in the material, and so most of the

Another big thing that I really value and try to talk about is self confidence and body love. In the swim industry, we see a lot of swim brands that heavily rely on buxom models that aren’t actually doing anything, and it can be really

discouraging for women to compare themselves to that. So we try and bring up the conversation that everyone has body issues, how can we get over this? What’s going to make you feel really good in what you’re wearing and help you to be within your own skin in a way that’s confident and healthy? There’s a lot of negative self talk that goes into being a woman and comparing yourself to other people. I&T Today: Do you have any advice for outdoor enthusiasts who want to be more sustainable? SG: The first thing you can do is really look at each of the products that you’re consuming. With your dollars, take a step back and and look at your whole approach once again, from what you eat to what you wear to what you put on your skin. Most importantly, look at the brands you buy because what’s really going to affect change is where we decide to put our money. I’ve been really encouraging people to only support people and companies that you align with and sometimes that means spending a little more, especially in fashion. There are certainly brands that are selling two dollar t-shirts, and you’re just like, “Wait a second, how can this fabric cost two dollars?” So maybe question that. Sometimes it means inconveniencing yourself and being okay with that. Also, trying to identify what’s important to you and taking a stand, because it’s still about having fun and enjoying it and we can’t always be rigid. We’re coming from a place of positivity and love and just trying to spread the message. ■

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nuraphone − Featuring a sleek yet durable design, the nuraphone is an innovative pair of headphones. Utilizing touch control, specialized active cooling, and a customizable listening experience, the nuraphone will provide a listening experience as unique as you are. $400

Viper Keyboard V770 – Gamers rejoice! The Viper V770 keyboard is a great choice all around. Featuring five dedicated macro keys and a solid aluminum chassis, the Viper V770 has the control and durability to get you the tactical edge you need. $140

Pikachu Induction Charger – Gotta charge ‘em all! Featuring the appearance of one of gaming’s most popular creatures, this adorable Pokémon charger allows for both wireless and USB charging. And, in true Pikachu fashion, the cheeks even glow when it’s charging your device. $40

DXRacer Racing Series – No gaming setup is complete without the perfect gaming chair. Comfortable, luxurious, and ergonomically designed, the DXRacer Racing Series is the perfect chair for hardcore gaming, getting work done, or just taking a seat after a long day of work. Prices range from $300 to $400

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Soundcast VG1 Speaker – With the durability to travel anywhere and the sound quality to blast your favorite songs, the VG1 Speaker from Soundcast is the ideal rugged speaker for your outdoor adventures. You can even sync multiple VG1 speakers together for maximum sound. $150

Nintendo Switch – The perfect combination of home console and handheld, the Nintendo Switch is a brilliantly designed gaming experience. Featuring such major games as Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Switch will keep you entertained at home or on the go. $300

Hidden Vision Motorized FlipAround TV Mount – Orbi Pro Tri-Band Wi-Fi System (SRK60) AC3000 – Whether it’s for work or play, fast internet is essential these days. Allowing you to improve the Wi-Fi speed of your home and business, the Orbi Pro Tri-Band Wi-Fi system will make buffering video and slow streaming a thing of the past. $500

With pique interior design in mind, Hidden Vision created the Motorized FlipAround TV Mount for those looking to spruce up their living room. With your choice of artwork on one side and a television on the other, seamlessly switch between the two to fit any occasion. Starting at $1599

Blue Snowball Microphone – You don’t have to break the bank to get high-quality audio recording. Perfect for starting your first podcast or laying down your acoustic demo, the Snowball Microphone by Blue is ideal for anyone looking for affordable recording. $70

Satechi Type-C Multi-Port Adapter 4K with Ethernet – Adding a number of different connections to your computer, the Satechi Type-C Multi-Port Adapter 4K with Ethernet will help you stay connected with a diverse number of devices. With 4K HDMI video output, pass-through charging, and a dedicated ethernet port, this versatile adapter will become a mainstay in your laptop bag. $90

SUMMER 2018 | INNOVATION & TECH TODAY

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