Two clients of Bradley University’s Turner Center for Entrepreneurship won awards at the 2010 Innovate Illinois competition on December 16 in Chicago.

The goal of the competition, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, is to identify the most innovative companies and technologies in Illinois.

Lumec Control Products, a tenant in the PeoriaNEXT Innovation Center, won first place in the “early stage company” category for companies still in the research and development process. Lumec has developed “L3Flow Technology,” which uses high powered sensors and electronics to precisely control the flow of fuel, gas, water and other liquids. Their product will replace technology that is hundreds of years old. The company received an award of $30,000 and was crowned the most innovative early stage company in Illinois. The founder and president of Lumec Control Products is Paul Luebbers.

Dr. Paul’s Piggy Paste, founded by Washington, Illinois physician Paul Kinsinger, won second place in the “later stage company” category for companies that are producing sales revenue. Dr. Kinsinger has developed a patented toenail fungus cream that has proven to be more effective than other name-brand creams. In just eight months of business, and virtually on his own, Dr. Kinsinger has sold more than 9,000 tubes of the product. Within four months he will have distribution arrangements finalized with Walgreens, CVS, and QVC. For second place, he received an award of $10,000.

The two Turner Center clients were selected from among hundreds of businesses statewide who compete on the merits of their innovations.