The MassChallenge startup accelerator on Thursday announced the winners of its annual business competition, awarding $1.5 million in grants to companies that included the maker of equipment that treats water in remote areas, and the developer of a virtual fence for livestock.

OffGridBox, whose product generates solar power and clean water off the grid, and Vence, which uses GPS to control animals, were among the recipients of the $100,000 top prizes. Pykus Therapeutics, which makes a device to improve retina surgery, and CozyKin, a company that connects families with trained nannies, also each received $100,000.

The winners were chosen from a group of 128 startups that have been working for four months in MassChallenges South Boston facility, where the organization provided advice and other resources to help them grow. The group was later narrowed to 26 finalists.

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