Swanson Reed’s Triumph: Earning ISO 27001 Certification and Powering Innovation with Cutting-Edge Tools

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Swanson Reed, a global leader in R&D tax credit consulting, has just raised the bar by achieving the prestigious ISO 27001 certification, the gold standard for information security management. This milestone underscores their commitment to protecting client data while delivering innovative solutions like TaxTrex and creditARMOR. Let’s dive into how this certification and their standout products are transforming the R&D tax credit landscape!

Why ISO 27001 Certification Matters

ISO 27001 is the international benchmark for a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS), ensuring top-tier protection against cyber threats. For Swanson Reed, this certification means their clients’ sensitive R&D and financial data is safeguarded with world-class security measures. In an era where data breaches are all too common, this achievement is a testament to their dedication to trust and reliability.

Swanson Reed’s Game-Changing Products

Swanson Reed isn’t just about securing data; they’re revolutionizing how businesses claim R&D tax credits with innovative tools designed for efficiency and compliance. Here are their key offerings:

  • TaxTrex: This AI-driven software is a market leader, streamlining R&D tax credit claims by preparing them in just 90 minutes. TaxTrex uses advanced artificial intelligence to analyze project data, identify eligible activities, and generate compliant documentation with features like intelligent risk assessment, automated surveys, and secure document storage. It’s a game-changer for businesses looking to self-claim credits quickly and accurately.
  • creditARMOR: This R&D tax audit insurance product is one of the most cost-effective tools on the market. creditARMOR combines AI-driven risk management with comprehensive audit defense, covering costs for CPAs, tax attorneys, and specialists during IRS audits. Its proactive compliance framework minimizes audit risks, giving businesses confidence to pursue R&D credits without fear of regulatory challenges.
  • R&D Tax Credit Consulting Services: With over 30 years of experience, Swanson Reed exclusively focuses on R&D tax credit preparation and audit advisory. Filing over 1500 claims annually, their team of engineers, scientists, and CPAs provides meticulous claim preparation and robust audit defense, ensuring maximum benefits and compliance across all 50 U.S. states and internationally.

What ISO 27001 Means for Clients

Swanson Reed’s ISO 27001 certification enhances the value of their products and services, offering clients:

  1. Unmatched Data Security: Your proprietary R&D data is protected by a globally recognized security framework, ensuring confidentiality and integrity.
  2. Enhanced Trust: The certification solidifies Swanson Reed’s reputation as a reliable partner, giving clients confidence in their data handling and tax credit processes.
  3. Future-Ready Solutions: With a commitment to continuous improvement, Swanson Reed ensures their tools and services evolve with the latest security and regulatory standards.
  4. Global Reach with Local Expertise: Operating in countries like the U.S., Australia, and the UK, Swanson Reed combines international standards with localized expertise.

How Swanson Reed Achieved ISO 27001

Earning ISO 27001 required Swanson Reed to implement a comprehensive ISMS, involving rigorous risk assessments, advanced security controls, and a culture of security-first thinking. This process ensures their products, like TaxTrex and creditARMOR, operate within a secure environment, protecting clients from cyber risks while delivering seamless R&D tax solutions.

Why Choose Swanson Reed?

Swanson Reed stands out as the largest specialist R&D tax advisory firm in the U.S., with a focus on confidence, transparency, and simplicity. Their ISO 27001 certification complements their innovative tools, making them a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a startup leveraging TaxTrex to claim credits quickly or a corporation relying on creditARMOR to navigate audits, Swanson Reed empowers you to innovate fearlessly.

Unlock Your R&D Potential Today

With ISO 27001 certification and cutting-edge products like TaxTrex and creditARMOR, Swanson Reed is redefining R&D tax credit consulting. Visit www.swansonreed.com to discover how they can help your business maximize tax credits, secure your data, and drive innovation forward. Here’s to a future of secure, efficient, and innovative growth with Swanson Reed!

R&D Tax Credit Eligibility AI Tool

directive for LBI taxpayers

directive for LBI taxpayers

What is the R&D Tax Credit?

The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.

directive for LBI taxpayers

R&D Tax Credit Preparation Services

Swanson Reed is one of the only companies in the United States to exclusively focus on R&D tax credit preparation. Swanson Reed provides state and federal R&D tax credit preparation and audit services to all 50 states.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call or email our CEO, Damian Smyth on (800) 986-4725.
Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of our national R&D tax credit specialists at a time that is convenient for you.

R&D Tax Credit Audit Advisory Services

creditARMOR is a sophisticated R&D tax credit insurance and AI-driven risk management platform. It mitigates audit exposure by covering defense expenses, including CPA, tax attorney, and specialist consultant fees—delivering robust, compliant support for R&D credit claims. Click here for more information about R&D tax credit management and implementation.

Our Fees

Swanson Reed offers R&D tax credit preparation and audit services at our hourly rates of between $195 – $395 per hour. We are also able offer fixed fees and success fees in special circumstances. Learn more at https://www.swansonreed.com/about-us/research-tax-credit-consulting/our-fees/

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Congress passes tax bill to permanently restore R&D expensing and allow amendments for prior years

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Congress Passes Bill Restoring Immediate R&D Tax Deductibility

In a major win for American innovation, Congress has officially passed a bill on July 3, 2025, restoring the immediate expensing of domestic research and development (R&D) costs under Section 174 of the tax code.

The legislative change reverses a provision from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that, starting in 2022, required businesses to amortize R&D expenses over five years-15 years for foreign R&D. This amortization rule significantly increased the after-tax cost of innovation, drawing widespread criticism from startups, manufacturers, and technology firms alike.

The newly passed bill reinstates the pre-2022 expensing rules retroactively, allowing companies to immediately deduct qualifying domestic R&D expenditures incurred from tax year 2022 onward. This move is expected to improve cash flow, support job creation, and incentivize investment in critical technologies across the U.S.

Importantly, the bill also retains the distinction between domestic and foreign R&D costs: foreign R&D must still be amortized over 15 years, a measure aimed at encouraging more innovation activity within U.S. borders.

Industry groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers and the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, praised the legislation as a long-overdue correction. Tax professionals are now advising companies to revisit prior-year returns and consider amended filings to capture the retroactive benefits.

The restoration of full expensing for R&D is widely seen as a bipartisan signal that American competitiveness and technological leadership remain top national priorities.

R&D Tax Credit Eligibility AI Tool

directive for LBI taxpayers

directive for LBI taxpayers

What is the R&D Tax Credit?

The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.

directive for LBI taxpayers

R&D Tax Credit Preparation Services

Swanson Reed is one of the only companies in the United States to exclusively focus on R&D tax credit preparation. Swanson Reed provides state and federal R&D tax credit preparation and audit services to all 50 states.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call or email our CEO, Damian Smyth on (800) 986-4725.
Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of our national R&D tax credit specialists at a time that is convenient for you.

R&D Tax Credit Audit Advisory Services

creditARMOR is a sophisticated R&D tax credit insurance and AI-driven risk management platform. It mitigates audit exposure by covering defense expenses, including CPA, tax attorney, and specialist consultant fees—delivering robust, compliant support for R&D credit claims.  Click here for more information about R&D tax credit management and implementation.

Our Fees

Swanson Reed offers R&D tax credit preparation and audit services at our hourly rates of between $195 – $395 per hour.  We are also able offer fixed fees and success fees in special circumstances.  Learn more at https://www.swansonreed.com/about-us/research-tax-credit-consulting/our-fees/

Schedule a Teleconference

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Upcoming Webinars

 

Register Here

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Texas Overhauls R&D Franchise Tax Credit and Advances Small‑Business Reforms

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June 2025 brought major legislative changes for Texas businesses, with new laws that both supercharge research and development (R&D) incentives and ease burdens for small businesses. These reforms underscore Texas’s commitment to remaining a business-friendly state while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Enhanced Franchise Tax Credit for R&D

Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 2206 into law on June 17, 2025. The bill significantly strengthens the R&D franchise tax credit, increasing the rate from 5% to 8.722% for qualifying research expenses. The changes will take effect for franchise tax reports due on or after January 1, 2026.

This legislation also aligns Texas’s credit with federal R&D definitions, allowing businesses to reference IRS Form 6765 and supporting methodologies. Importantly, the credit is now permanent, removing its previous expiration date in 2026.

While the credit becomes more generous, it comes with a trade-off. The bill repeals the sales and use tax exemption for certain R&D-related property, effective January 1, 2026. Businesses will need to evaluate which benefit provides greater value under their specific circumstances.

Streamlining for Small Businesses

Also on June 17, Governor Abbott signed several bills designed to reduce barriers for small business owners. These include House Bills 346, 2464, and 5195, which together modernize filing systems, remove unnecessary regulation, and improve state digital services.

  • HB 346 enables expedited business filings and makes permanent the exemption from franchise taxes and fees for veteran-owned businesses.
  • HB 2464 limits the ability of cities to impose new regulations on certain home-based businesses.
  • HB 5195 directs state agencies to modernize their online platforms for improved access to business services.

Governor Abbott emphasized that small businesses account for nearly half of the state’s workforce and play a critical role in Texas’s economic success. These changes aim to remove obstacles that prevent entrepreneurs from growing and thriving.

Fort Worth Named Aviation and Defense Capital

In a symbolic move reinforcing the state’s support for regional innovation, Senate Concurrent Resolution 142 officially designates Fort Worth as the “aviation and defense capital of Texas.” This strengthens the city’s position as a national center for advanced manufacturing and aerospace development.

Next Steps for Business Leaders

With these new laws taking effect in 2026, companies should begin preparing now:

  • Review your R&D expenditures and consider transitioning to the enhanced franchise tax credit.
  • Confirm that your R&D documentation aligns with federal standards to ensure eligibility and audit readiness.
  • Take advantage of new filing options and tax relief programs-especially for veteran-owned and home-based businesses.
  • Watch for updates from state agencies as they modernize their online services under HB 5195.

These legislative changes send a clear signal: Texas intends to remain a top destination for innovation and small business success.

Manufacturing and R&D: What manufacturers should know

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If you think manufacturing is outdated or can’t go hand-in-hand with R&D, think again!

Manufacturing accounts for roughly 60% ($6.7 billion) of all R&D Tax Credit claims by industry—that’s roughly 45% more than the next leading industry, Information Technology (1.8 billion). Qualified Research Activities (QRAs), the activities a company does to improve functionality, performance, reliability, quality, or even cost reduction, doesn’t have to necessarily ‘reinvent the wheel’. A company could be seeking to improve its packaging process to reduce shipping costs and reduce packing waste. Maybe another company has decided to improve its production line to be more efficient and reduce costs while not sacrificing quality. Both of these examples are common within the manufacturing industry, and let it be no surprise that chances are there are QRAs that can be claimed to increase that all important bottom line.

QRAs are only half of the R&D equation. Qualified Research Expenses (QREs) are also applicable to an R&D Tax Credit claim. QREs fall into three categories: payroll, supplies, and contracted research services. These are typically some hefty expenses for any company, but thanks to the R&D Tax Credit, you could save a sizeable amount of money since, as you may have gathered, they are the basis of the R&D credit. It’s important to note that all QREs must be substantiated and documented; we’ll touch on that a bit later.

For payroll or R&D labor expenses, it can include technicians, engineers, chemists, and analysts to name a few. These people are responsible for directly working with the R&D project. In fact, indirect support, such as data collectors or people responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the test site or equipment, can also qualify as eligible labor costs if they are performing specialized work on the R&D project. The amount of labor claimed as an expense to the project should be proportionate to the amount of time spent on R&D. 100% of labor costs are eligible in calculating the R&D tax credit.

Supplies are things that are consumed or expended in the tax year being claimed and have been used up completely in the R&D process. This could include anything from prototypes, models, and other materials used during experimentation.  100% of these supply costs are eligible in calculating the R&D tax credit. Land, property that depreciates, and capitalized equipment do not count as eligible supplies.

Sometimes you might not have the in-house expertise that you need to carry out your R&D project, so you decide to hire outside contractors. Thankfully, contracted research services are also qualified research expenses.  Contracted research services are any outside organizations that assist with research tasks—this includes collaboration with colleges or testing labs. 65% of these costs are eligible in calculating the R&D tax credit.

If you’re thinking “you mentioned substantiating a claim with documentation, but I don’t have any of this,” you’re likely wrong! Here’s a list we’ve compiled based on our years of experience when dealing with substantiation. Documentation includes, but is not limited to: project records/lab notes, innovation logs, design documents for system architecture and source code, background research, records of change, testing protocols, results of records of analysis from testing trials/runs, records of resource allocation, W2’s, invoices, and 1099’s. This list combines documentation that is used to substantiate QRAs and QREs.

Hopefully, as you were reading, you would have begun to recognize the financial benefits of R&D and what can be claimed at your company (or maybe you’re just leisure reading—either way, awareness and thinking is the first step to a successful R&D claim!) If you think you have qualifying projects, contact Swanson Reed by clicking here. We’re happy to help in your claims process!

Notorious Plant Killer?: Dallas-based startup OrchidBox develops terrariums for the lackluster green thumb

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If you don’t have a green thumb, growing plants can be an absolute nightmare. The day has come where anyone, anywhere (yes, this includes the person who overwatered their grandmother’s African violet) can grow a variety of plants, thanks to Dallas startup OrchidBox.

“It’s sad, I don’t think young people understand just how diverse our wildlife is, and we are losing more and more plant species every day,” Hollis said in an interview.

OrchidBox was developed by Nathan Hollis, who has a background in computer science and a love for plants. Hollis’ creation, an acrylic box that has high-power LED lights, a water indicator level, and a water level viewing window, promises that any user will never kill a plant again.

The OrchidBox comes with built-in intelligence and is Wi-Fi enabled. This allows the box to coordinate with sunrise and sunset times, and send watering alerts straight to a smartphone. The case will also let you know when to water the plant (if you see a red light on the case, you should really water the plant). According to the company website, the OrchidBox uses over 400 lumens over a 4” x 4” x 7” area that includes light flux levels that are approximately 50% of the sun’s intensity on a sunny summer day—a design feature that cannot be found within any other growing device. The sensing technology has been designed to last, so users can grow plants over the years to come.

“While most people think of the stereotypical store-bought orchids, there are actually 50,000 species of orchids, some that are very, very bizarre. Most people don’t know that, and some don’t even know what an orchid is, so we wanted to take the opportunity to teach people,” Hollis said.

The terrarium box comes with: the OrchidBox, a power adapter, base substrate, soil of choice, watering cup, a pipette, and a fertilizer sample. The application supports Facebook and Google logins. Users can add terrariums to an account. It also allows users to view the water level remotely.

OrchidBox’s mission is to increase conservation and conservation awareness by developing microclimate-controlled devices for plants. The OrchidBox is still in its development phase.

More information about the innovative startup can be found by clicking here.

Creating an innovatiove, quirky desk accessory? Did you know that you can receive up to 14% back on your research expenses with the R&D Tax Credit? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is a Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Texas, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

The Flood of the Boxes: Dallas-based delivery startup Fetch makes apartment package delivery easier, more convenient

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If you’ve ever lived in an apartment complex or have been a property manager, packages can overtake a leasing office or lobby in the blink of an eye. Thanks to an innovative Dallas startup, property managers will no longer need to ‘sail’ through a mass flooding of packages in their apartment complexes.

Fetch, created by Michael Patton, collects parcels that are mailed to apartments at off-site warehouses and then delivers them to residents at a convenient time. “The e-commerce explosion has flooded apartment buildings with packages. I saw what a pain it was for the property managers, and that was an eye opening moment for me,” Patton said.

Fetch works in a simple, yet innovative way. Users redirect their deliveries to a Fetch warehouse. Once the package has arrived at the warehouse, users then receive instant notifications, hours before it would normally arrive at an apartment complex. Patrons can then request their package to be delivered on their schedule—convenience at its finest, especially for bulky or large items that take a bit more effort to deliver and coordinate.

Fetch has signed 15 contracts with various properties around Dallas. The startup currently manages packages for roughly 5,000 apartments, according to an article on 512tech. Property managers are charged $10 per unit on a monthly basis. The service is available in Texas, but it plans to expand rapidly across the country.

For more information on Fetch, please click here.

Are you developing a platform that benefits employees? Did you know that you can receive up to 14% back on your research expenses with the R&D Tax Credit? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is a Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Texas, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

A Doctor for Finances: Chicago-based Holberg Financial develops capital wellness platform

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A Chicago startup suggests that offering financial health and wellness can reduce stress and increase overall satisfaction in the workplace. Holberg Financial has created a platform that mixes behavioral economics and psychology with access to a living person that can help people, namely Millennial employees, with finances.

“I grew up in a financially unstable household, and I remember that there were times when we had enough money to go on vacations, but there were also times when we didn’t have enough money to put food on the table. I had to borrow $40 from a neighbor just to apply for college,” said CEO and Founder of Holberg Financial, Joe Holberg.

Upon signing up, a user’s financial information is gathered all in one place where they can receive assessments on how they are doing. A financial survey is then conducted, thus generating a score between 0-100. According to an article in 1871 Blog, Holberg Financial has helped to increase user financial health by 6.3 points, on average. The platform is different from others out there because, instead of providing only a financial overview, it offers users goal development with emphasis on a plan of action. “It helps people recognize that personal finance is a fixed pie and allows users to come up with prioritized goals that they can set, track, and eventually realize.”

The Holberg Financial platform provides companies with the option to offer financial health as a benefit to employees, although companies must pay for the platform, it is free and unbiased for the employees who use the service.

“Companies that have used our platform often come back to us and say that it’s really helped them retain employees and increase productivity. And then, when we look at averages, we see that employees are able to build their net worth by over $3,000 in less than a year and significantly reduce their debt profile as well.”

May questionable credit be a thing of the past.

For more information on the Holberg Financial platform, please click here.

Are you developing a platform that benefits employees? Did you know that you can receive up to 14% back on your research expenses with the R&D Tax Credit? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is a Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Illinois, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Introducing the Tinder of Dining: Chicago-based Sugr matches you with food places you’ll love

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If you live in a metropolitan area, picking the next best place to have lunch or dinner can be rather difficult. Do you want spicy or sweet? Are you looking to eat earlier in the day or later? Do you prefer to have a reservation when you walk in? Chicago-based startup Sugr wants to make dining experiences a little less indecisive and more tailored to your preferences.

“The incredible access to information that we have today sometimes makes the simplest decisions take way too long,” said Ruben Flores-Martinez, CEO and founder of Sugr. The discovery service uses machine learning to give users tailored results. The app also takes into consideration where people within your network are eating. “It’s basically a very simple neural network. The more you use it, the better it gets at predicting what you’ll like.”

Sugr has an array of neat features. Once a venue has been selected, you will have the option to hail an Uber. You can invite friends and family to the venue you’re planning to visit, should you wish to be in company. An option is also available to pay via Apple Pay, subject to if the venue has enrolled in this payment method. The app also doesn’t publish written reviews, a design feature that was intentional. “The power of online reviews leads to a lot of negativity. Instead, we want to validate preferences based on what your peers are doing. What my wife thinks is a lot more important than what a random stranger on the internet thinks. So we weigh recommendations based on what people in your networks are doing,” Flores-Martinez added. “We wanted to create a very smart product that could easily understand your personality, the things you like and connect with, and help you make those decisions better and faster.”

The service is pro-small business, as Sugr does not include major chains in its recommendations. However, its founder said “we want to create incentives that are sponsored by major brands, but are redeemable at local businesses.”

Working on an app that encompasses AI solutions and makes life a bit easier? Did you know that you can receive up to 14% back on your research expenses with the R&D Tax Credit? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is a Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Illinois, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

An Unmanned Future: Austin-based SparkCognition creates UTM solutions

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If you have ever wondered about (or even feared) how unmanned airplanes, air taxis and drones will not crash into each other when on a flight path, wonder no more. Boeing Co., the aerospace manufacturing giant, will partner with Austin-based SparkCognition Inc. to create unmanned traffic management (UTM) solutions. To achieve this, Boeing will use SparkCognition’s AI and blockchain technologies to track and create unmanned traffic routes to ensure safe travel conditions for unmanned air transportation.

“We partner with the world’s largest organizations that power, finance, and defend our society to uncover their highest potential through the application of AI technologies,” mentioned a blurb on the SparkCognition website. Solutions developed by the company are “agile” and can “streamline operations of any size, making it easier to accomplish goals and meet objectives in an expedited manner. These solutions can be seamlessly delivered via the cloud or on devices, and can also run on top of a client’s interface of choice.” It’s also worth mentioning that SparkCognition’s AI solutions lowered the cost of maitenance and improved available for a major aviation operator by 35%.

The company’s AI solutions can also warn of aircraft and asset failures before they occur, thus maximising fleet availability, minimizing unscheduled maitenance, and extending asset life. The company also provides simulated environments in which a user can train and control algorithms and evolve swarm tactics using reinforcement learning.

This promising partnership will also bring about a standardized programming interface to support package delivery, industrial inspection and other commercial applications. SparkCognition has its focus on a number of industries, such as cyber security, manufacturing, financial services, maritime, oil & gas, utilities, defence, and of course, aviation. “The world’s number one aviation leader partnering with the world’s most innovative industrial AI company means that unparalleled experience in safety, innovation, scale, and reliability will be brought to bear to address this monumental opportunity,” Husain said.

For more information on SparkCognition, please click here. For information on this innovative project, please see the video below.

Are you developing UTM solutions? Did you know that you can receive up to 14% back on your research expenses with the R&D Tax Credit? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is a Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Texas, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

(Virtual) Assistant In a Lab Coat: Atlanta-based HelixAI develops lab companion to complement Amazon’s Alexa

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HelixAI is working to bring scientists a hands-free virtual assistant in the lab. The Helix voice assistant can help scientists to increase efficiency, improve lab safety, and gain visibility, according to the company website. The startup was created by husband-and-wife duo James and DeLacy Rhodes.

“James actually came to me and asked, what would you think about making a digital lab assistant, something that runs off Alexa devices but helps out in the lab,” DeLacy said. “Our goal was to get feedback from scientists and see if this was actually something they were interested in using in their laboratory spaces,” James said.

As a scientist, your hands will likely be occupied when conducting an experiment with chemicals and the like. Helix can access scientific reference information by a simple voice command. Key information, whether public, private, general or specific can also be customized to fit any specific needs, such as those of an individual lab or institution.

Scientific processes also normally require a protocol or repetition when conducting experiments. To avoid creating any new variables in the experimentation process, the testing from yesterday must be repeated in the exact same way. Helix can keep track of and add any protocols, SOPs, and solution recipes, thus helping to avoid any unwanted variables in an experiment. The program can also start where you last ended, even if it has been an extended period of time.

Timers and notifications can be set and sent to a mobile device–never experience an overflowing beaker again. “We work very closely with organizations to talk about their needs and identify the kind of content they would like to get through a digital assistant. Then we build up private skills that only those in their organization can get access to,” DeLacy said.

Helix may also be used to keep track of inventory, record notes during experiments, and manage various areas where custom content can be inserted.

Are you developing a virtual assistant extension? Did you know that you can receive up to 14% back on your research expenses with the R&D Tax Credit? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is a Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Georgia, from claim prep & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.