The Minnesota High Tech Association and Minnesota Technology Inc. Will
Honor the State's Top Technology Companies and Leaders at Awards Ceremony
On October 23
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Minnesota High Tech Association
(MHTA) and Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI), in partnership with Medical
Alley, MNBIO and Minnesota Project Innovation, today named finalists for the
Tekne Awards, the fourth annual celebration of companies and individuals who
have shown superior technology innovation and leadership in Minnesota.
Finalists for the 2003 Tekne Awards represent technology innovators who
have made lasting contributions to enhancing the quality of life and
competitiveness of Minnesota. The awards are separated into categories that
recognize leaders in innovation, development, commercialization and management
of technology in Minnesota.
William W. (Bill) George, the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Medtronic, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his
years of leadership and innovation.
The Tekne awards will be presented this year at the Minneapolis Convention
Center on Thursday, Oct. 23, beginning with a reception at 4:30 p.m., followed
by dinner at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 7:15 p.m. Minnesota Governor
Tim Pawlenty will deliver the keynote address.
To register for the Tekne awards ceremony, visit http://www.tekneawards.org or
contact Tina Volpe at 952-230-4552 or tvolpe@mhta.org. The registration
deadline is Oct. 16.
Tekne Award categories and finalists include:
TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AWARD
Recognizing emerging companies (annual revenues under $50 million) and
established companies (annual revenues of $50 million+) or division within an
established company that exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit, and promises
continued economic growth through technology development and/or application in
the following six categories:
Advanced Manufacturing - Advanced materials and chemicals, machinery and
equipment, electronics and components, measuring instruments, photonics,
optics and lasers, and computer and peripheral equipment.
* Emerging company finalists are August Technology, Bloomington; Domaille
Engineering, Rochester; and Infrared Solutions, Plymouth.
* Established company finalists are 3M ESPE Division, St. Paul; 3M,
Performance Materials Division, St. Paul; and Cargill, Wayzata.
Biotechnology - Agriculture, environmental, food science and
pharmaceuticals. Companies in this category were not singled out as
emerging or established.
* Finalists are Biopolymer Engineering, Eagan; Gel-Del Technologies, St.
Paul; Medisyn Technologies, Wayzata; and Protein Design Labs, Plymouth.
IT-Software, Communications, and Infrastructure - Software, networking,
communications, and wireless equipment and products.
* Emerging company finalists are Compellent Technologies, Eden Prairie;
Integrated Decisions and Systems, Bloomington, and Sinex Aviation
Technologies Corporation, Duluth.
* Established company finalists are CNT, Plymouth; Digital River, Eden
Prairie; and Stellent, Eden Prairie.
Medical Technology - Devices, diagnostics and equipment.
* Emerging company finalists are Disc Dynamics, Eden Prairie; SurModics,
Eden Prairie; and Vital Images, Plymouth.
* Established company finalists are Arizant, Eden Prairie; Guidant
Corporation - Cardiac Rhythm Management Group, Arden Hills; St. Jude
Medical - Daig Division, Minnetonka.
Technology Services - Finding innovative solutions for a client's use of
technology.
* Emerging company finalists are ePredix, Minneapolis; Logic Product
Development, Minneapolis; and Magenic Technologies, Minneapolis.
* Established company finalists are digital@jwt, Minneapolis; IBM,
Rochester; and Identix, Minnetonka.
Technology User - Innovative application of products or services resulting
in dramatic business improvement or market advantage.
* Emerging company finalists are Jobview, St. Paul; NaviCare Systems, St.
Paul; and Vivius, Minneapolis.
* Established company finalists are Cargill, Wayzata; Carlson Hotels
Worldwide, Minnetonka; and Donaldson Company, Bloomington.
LEADERSHIP AWARD
Honors an outstanding individual who, beyond a specific innovation or
achievement, has contributed significantly to Minnesota's technology
expansion.
* Emerging company finalists are the late Roger Jensen, former Executive
Director, Anoka County Economic Development Partnership, Coon Rapids;
Dan Grady, CEO, Network Guidance, Minnetonka; and Dr. Ed Anderson, CEO,
Taxi 2000, Fridley.
* Established company finalists are Andy Wong, Vice President Optical
Systems Division, 3M, St. Paul; Dr. H.S. Muralidhara, Vice President,
Plant Operations - Center of Expertise - Process Technology, Cargill,
Wayzata; Dennis Miller, CEO, Midwest Wireless, Mankato.
INNOVATION AWARD
Honors a business, academic institution or business/academic collaboration
that has demonstrated leadership, dedication and excellence in the development
of an innovation in areas such as digital technology, nanotechnology, MEMS, or
medtech/biotech, genomics/bioinformatics or other areas of life sciences
research with the potential to contribute significantly to Minnesota's
technology-based economy.
* Emerging company finalists are Adventium Labs, Minneapolis; FENA Design,
Plymouth; and Guidance Interactive, Delano.
* Established company finalists are 3M Medical Division, St. Paul; 3M,
Performance Materials Division, St. Paul; Cargill, Wayzata; and Onvoy,
Plymouth.
About MTI
Minnesota Technology, Inc. (MTI) is recognized as a leading provider of
technology information and strategic consulting services for manufacturers,
technology businesses, and communities throughout Minnesota and the Midwest
region. MTI combines strategic advice and information with technology to meet
its customers quality, productivity, and profitability goals. MTI has a 10-
year return on investment track record of adding more than $800 million to the
bottom lines of 4,500 small to medium-sized Greater Minnesota companies. For
more information visit http://www.minnesotatechnology.org .
About MHTA
The Minnesota High Tech Association accelerates the growth, success and
sustainability of Minnesota's technology-based economy through public policy
advocacy, member collaboration and education, and community outreach. MHTA is
the only membership organization that represents Minnesota's entire
technology-based economy. MHTA members include organizations of every size --
involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production,
application and education in Minnesota. MHTA works in partnership with AeA,
which represents Minnesota's technology organizations nationally. More
information on the MHTA can be found at http://www.mhta.org.
SOURCE Minnesota High Tech Association
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