This year’s Innovation Celebration by Champaign County EDC took place this past Friday evening at Parkland College, and here are the winners from the event (watch the videos as well):
Winners in bold:
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Social Venture Award
Serve as change agents by creating and implementing sustainable solutions to reshape society, benefit humanity, and address social concerns.
- The Land Connection
- New American Welcome Center at the University YMCA
- Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Student Startup Award
Formed by students in the last three years and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.
- RingWing, LLC
- HexNest
- DeepWalk
Entrepreneurial Excellence: New Venture Award
Formed in the last three years, and demonstrates a commitment to continuing success through entrepreneurial talent, creativity and energy.
- AirScout, Inc.
- EarthSense, Inc.
- SimBioSys, Inc.
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Paul Magelli Advocacy Award
Actively engage, encourage, coach and mentor entrepreneurs in the community, and provide extensive support to help them achieve success.
- Mark Aardsma
- Edwin Moore
- Roland Garton
Entrepreneurial Excellence: Management Award
Demonstrates expertise in assembling resources, creating an organization, and working to build and implement effective action plans.
- Landon Frye, Jake Kreider, and Sophie Roney – Granular, Inc.
- Shira Epstein and Dan Epstein – Champaign Outdoors / RuggedOutdoors.com
- James Langer – Serionix
Innovation: Economic Development Impact Award
Has made a significant economic development impact in the community and continues to demonstrate their commitment to Champaign County.
- Small Business Incentive Program (City of Champaign)
- Lodgic Everyday Community
- Matt Cho (Cake Design Development)
2019 Innovation Transfer Award—University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or group from the University of Illinois whose research has resulted in either a discovery or a work with the potential for significant societal impact.
- Dr. Andrew Alleyne – Thermosys™ / POETS Engineering Research Center
2019 Alexis Wernsing Innovation Award—University of Illinois
Recognizes an individual or team from the University of Illinois that has channeled their experience living with a disability into positive change through the creation of new products, environments, or protocols that enhance quality of life.
- Adam Bleakney – Illinois Wheelchair Athletics
2019 Innovation in Engagement Award—Parkland College
Recognizes an individual or group at Parkland College who has shown support of the college’s community engagement mission.
- Peg Boyce – Dental Hygiene Program
