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Company: RS21, Albuquerque, NM
Nomination Submitted by: RS21
Company Description: RS21 is a data science company that uses artificial intelligence, data engineering, user experience design, and modern software development methods to empower organizations to make data-driven decisions that positively impact the world. With teams in New Mexico, Washington, D.C, and distributed throughout the U.S., RS21 creates data-driven platforms that provoke faster, smarter, better decisions.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Computer Software - Small
 Nomination Title: RS21
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2020, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
Written answers to the questions provided in subsequent sections.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 199 words used.
RS21’s data science and technology experts help companies achieve broader impact, better performance, and mission-critical goals through artificial intelligence and data analytics solutions.
Founded through Sandia National Laboratories Entrepreneurial Separation to Transfer Technology program in 2015 by Charles Rath, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Mountain Desert Region award honoree, RS21 was born from the idea that there’s a smarter way to use data to make critical decisions. RS21 was an early adopter of the concept of resilience and supporting communities and businesses through the shocks and stresses of the 21st century.
Rath’s work in resilience attracted renowned AI, information technology, and design experts, and RS21 matured from a one-person resilience consultancy to a data science company with 60 employees. Today, RS21 combines a commitment to ethical AI and using data for good to develop platforms that harness the power of data to support human decision-making in healthcare, defense, safety, urban planning, energy, cyber security, land use, climate, disaster preparedness and recovery, space, and social equity.
The award-winning team has made RS21 a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators and an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company for two years in a row, with 227% revenue growth from 2017 to 2020.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
RS21 has developed 82 data science and analytics solutions since 2020 for government, healthcare, Fortune 500, and non-profit clients. The following examples demonstrate how RS21 improves insights based on its mission to use data for good and employ human-centered, ethical AI.
Artificial Intelligence for Satellite Fault Prediction: Satellites support important services, but due to hazards, 60% of satellites become defunct or space junk. RS21’s AI solution for satellite fault detection and prediction won the AFRL 2020 Hyperspace Challenge for its ability to predict a lead time before satellites fail, inform preventive actions, and keep satellites operational. The solution is currently funded by an AFRL SBIR Phase II contract for $750,000 for development and potential commercialization.
Integrated Informatics System for Cancer Research and Population Health: Through a partnership with the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center—in the top 3% of the nation’s elite cancer centers—RS21 is developing an integrated data and analytics environment that supports novel population health research and sophisticated cancer diagnosis and treatment.
COVID-19 Response: RS21 funded and developed the open-source Urban Health Vulnerability Index in April 2020. It combines CDC, Census, and COVID-19 data for 500 U.S. cities to identify neighborhoods most vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreaks. It served as the foundation for the Urban Pandemic Preparedness Dashboard, developed by RS21 and think-tank SecDev Group, to help governments recover from negative public health events. Additionally, RS21 built a COVID-19 Relief Spending Tracker for watchdog POGO, overlaying spending with community indicators, to make government relief measures transparent.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Blending science and design, RS21 focuses heavily on creating technology that makes data accessible to support human decision-making; employs ethical practices in explainable, human-in-the-loop AI, rather than opaque “black box” models that obscure the industry; and provides value by positively impacting the world. RS21 only executes work that aligns with its mission and values.
RS21’s COVID Response efforts, for example, resulted in pandemic preparedness pilot projects launched in Amsterdam, Bristol, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the spending tracker has enabled POGO to conduct investigations and work with lawmakers to improve oversight of COVID relief spending, specifically contributing to measures in the CARES Act.
RS21’s mission and values also attract top talent, even though data science is one of the most competitive labor markets, with demand expected by grow 27.9% by 2026. Employees are empowered to innovate—with the AI satellite solution being proposed and pursued by employees—and have consistently expressed over 80% workplace satisfaction in quarterly surveys. RS21’s values also influence corporate giving, which resulted in annual campaigns that have contributed $18,000 to non-profits since 2020 and highlighted organizations advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology.
RS21’s focus on ethical AI and using data to make a positive impact has enabled the company to benefit its people, communities, and products, as evidenced by recognition as a 2020 Fast Company Best Workplace and contributing to exceptional revenue growth and inclusion in four fastest-growing lists in 2021: Inc. 5000, Deloitte 500, New Mexico Flying 40, and Albuquerque Business Journal’s Fastest-Growing Companies.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 65 words used.
The attachments included in this submission include RS21 collateral, media clippings, and links to award announcements to support the statements made in this application and demonstrate RS21's work and impact.
Attachments include collateral created by RS21 provides a deeper view of the company's services and culture.
Links direct to third-party sources, such as media clippings and award programs, that demonstrate RS21's impact, reach, and achievements.
| Attachments/Videos/Links: |
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| RS21 |
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Data Science Company RS21 Looks to Bring AI/ML Tech to Space, Via Satellite, 2022 |
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New Mexico Startup Builds Tech to Monitor Satellites with AI, Government Technology, 2021 |
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Ethical AI can change the world – if we act now, Fast Company, 2021 |
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Using Data to Evaluate Whether COVID-19 Funds Improved Access to Economic Opportunity for those Most Impacted by the Crisis, World Justice Challenge, 2021 |
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Interactive maps reveal urban vulnerability and resilience to COVID-19. Here’s how, World Economic Forum, 2021 |
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ABQ data analytics firm to build new cancer informatics system, Albuquerque Journal, 2021 |
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Why maps matter in our response to COVID-19, World Economic Forum, 2020 |
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RS21 takes 1st in Hyperspace Challenge, Albuquerque Journal, 2020 |
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[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] |
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RS21_Values.pdf |
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RS21_Career_Guide.pdf |
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RS21 Demo Reel |
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Inc. 5000, America’s Fastest Growing Companies, 2021 |
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Deloitte 500 (#478), Technology Fast 500 North America, 2021 |
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New Mexico Flying 40, Top 10 Revenue Growth for Companies <$10 million, 2021 |
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Fastest Growing Companies, Albuquerque Business First, 2021 |
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Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators (#43), 2020 |
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EY Entrepreneur of the Year® Mountain Desert Region Award, Charles Rath, Ernst & Young, 2020 |
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