Nominations open for NCW Tech Alliance Innovator Awards

WENATCHEE — Nominations are being accepted for the North Central Washington Tech Alliance’s Innovator Awards, according to an announcement from NCW Tech Alliance, which has offices around the Columbia Basin, including Moses Lake. 

The Innovator Awards Luncheon celebrates the drive, passion, and spirit of innovators in our community while inspiring those who are just starting their journey, according to the announcement. 

Nominations may be made in five categories, according to the announcement. 

STEM College Innovator of the Year: Students will be recognized for innovative projects that address real world problems. Student-led projects are preferred but teacher-led initiatives will be considered if the student project is innovative and unique. The student(s) must demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem solving. Any construction, data logging and summarizing must have been completed by the student(s). 

Future Technology Leader of the Year: K-12 students will be recognized for innovative projects in technology. The project does not have to be exclusive to technology – but technology should play a dominant role. Student-led projects are preferred but teacher-led initiatives will be considered if the technology project is innovative, unique, and the student(s) participated in a hands-on, experiential manner. The winner will demonstrate potential for success through leadership, learning, and technology skills. 

Entrepreneur of the Year: Entrepreneurs are people with vision and the ability to see a need and fill it. They have the courage to make change and the stamina to await results. This individual will have displayed exceptional vision, leadership and innovation in building a new company, developing a new product or service, or have creatively developed a way to deliver an existing product or service to the marketplace. 

STEM Champion of the Year: This award aims to recognize educators and community members who are pursuing innovative approaches to learning through STEM experiences. The winner will demonstrate passion for STEM education, and will be seen by their peers and community as advocates for promoting STEM pathways for students. 

Newcomer In Technology: Successful companies are those that aren’t afraid of change and face technology innovation head on. A Newcomer In Technology nominee is an organization, company, or department that has embraced technology to transform the work environment. These nominees should be using or creating technology in ways that advance production, improve efficiency, or differentiate their product or service for a competitive advantage.  

Since 2001, more than100 innovators have been recognized for their innovation in entrepreneurship, technology, and STEM education, according to the announcement. Nominations close Aug. 31, and the winners will be honored at the Innovator Awards Luncheon on Nov. 5 in Wenatchee. 

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit www.ncwtech.org/innovators.