Several Research Park Ties To Innovation Celebration Finalists
Research Park companies and entrepreneurs are well-represented among the finalists for the Eighth Annual Innovation Celebration. The winners will be announced at the ceremony/reception to be held at NCSA (1205 W. Clark, Urbana) on Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 5:30-8 pm. To RSVP, learn more about the event, or view past winners and award descriptions, visit the Innovation Celebration website at www.innovationcelebration.com.
Below are the finalists (winners will be announced at the event). Those in bold are tenants of Research Park.
Award Finalists
Innovation Discovery Award – University of Illinois Award
Yoram Bresler* (Founder of InstaRecon, a graduate of EnterpriseWorks and current Research Park tenant)
Martin Burke
Jean-Pierre LeBurton
Innovation Transfer Award – University of Illinois Award
William P. King
John Dallesasse
Yoram Bresler
Innovation in Engagement Award – Parkland College Award
Winner will be announced at the event.
Social Entrepreneurship Award
Illinois Green Business Association (IGBA)
The I.D.E.A. Store
Illini for Kids* — Heavy involvement from Kerris Lee and Shirren Mathai of Lost Points, a startup at EnterpriseWorks
Entrepreneur Advocacy Award
Alex Ruggieri – Central Illinois Business Radio
Andrew Singer – U of I Technology Entrepreneur Center
Dennis Beard & Tim Hoerr – Serra Ventures* Research Park Enterpreneurs-in-Residence and tenants
Economic Development Impact Award
Midwest Underground Technology
Champaign Organization of Developers and Engineers (CODE)* Many of CODE’s active members work in the Research Park.
UC2B
Entrepreneurial Excellence in Management Award
Charlie Li – American Analytical Chemistry Laboratories
Al Fleener – Surface 51
Chris Harbourt – Waterborne Environmental, Inc.*
Longevity through Innovation Award
Rich Masel* — CEO of Dioxide Materials, a startup at EnterpriseWorks
Cobalt Digital
Waters Electrical Contracting
Student Startup Award
Autumn Berry Inspired
Oso Technologies* — EnterpriseWorks startup
HigherMed* — EnterpriseWorks startup
New Venture Award
Sonistic* — EnterpriseWorks startup
mpressInteractive* — EnterpriseWorks startup
Spinlight
The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, the University of Illinois’ Technology Entrepreneur Center, Research Park, Office of Corporate Relations, Office of Technology Management, and Office of the Vice President for Research, along with NCSA, Parkland College, Singleton Law Firm, Serra Ventures, Hanson Financial, Ramshaw Real Estate and Surface 51 are the sponsors of the Eighth Annual Innovation Celebration, which recognizes those individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions, taken risks, and provided leadership to ensure the continuing economic success of Champaign County, the ongoing success of the University’s economic development mission, and the growth of entrepreneurial talent and energy in the community.
Innovation Celebration is not merely an award for accomplishment, but a benchmark of success for those outstanding individuals, organizations and corporations who are nominated and selected to receive this prestigious award. Additionally, Innovation Celebration serves as a tangible collaboration between the University of Illinois, Parkland College and the community.