MHTA and MTI will honor the state's top technology companies and leaders at
awards ceremony on November 9
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 28 /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 fifth annual celebration of companies and individuals who
have shown superior technology innovation and leadership in Minnesota.
Finalists for the 2004 Tekne Awards represent technology innovators and
leaders who have made lasting contributions to enhancing the quality of life
and competitiveness of Minnesota. The awards are separated into categories
that recognize the best and brightest in innovation, development, education,
commercialization and management of technology in Minnesota.
This year, a new category, Innovation in Teaching, was added to the awards
program to recognize an educator who demonstrates excellence in education by
using innovative technology to create exciting learning opportunities for
students.
"The Tekne Awards program has grown to become one the premier events for
technology companies in the state of Minnesota," said Kate Rubin, president of
the Minnesota High Tech Association. "We are very pleased with the quality of
entries this year. These finalists show that Minnesota continues to produce
cutting-edge technology and is a great place to do business."
The 2004 Tekne Awards will be presented on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at the
Minneapolis Convention Center, beginning with a reception at 4:30 p.m.,
followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Don Shelby,
WCCO anchor and education and math advocate, will emcee the event.
To register for the Tekne awards ceremony, visit
http://www.tekneawards.org or contact Ann Fellman at 952-230-4554 or
afellman@mhta.org.
Tekne Award categories and finalists include:
INNOVATION AWARD
Honors a business, academic institution, teacher 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 Dakota County Technical College,
Rosemont; MinuteClinic, Minneapolis; and NVE Corporation, Eden Prairie.
-- Established company finalists are 3M, Medical Division, St. Paul;
Identix, Minnetonka; and Medtronic, Minneapolis.
-- Innovation in Teaching finalists are Kimberly Carlson, Minnetonka High
School, Minnetonka; Mark Deming, Orchard Lake Elementary School,
Lakeville; and Theresa Ann Goerke, Hill Murray School, Maplewood.
TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AWARD
Recognizes emerging companies (annual revenues under $50 million) and
established companies (annual revenues of $50 million+) or divisions within
established companies that exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and promise
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 Control Products, Inc., Chanhassen;
Donnelly Custom Manufacturing Co., Alexandria; and The Protomold
Company, Maple Plain.
-- Established company finalists are 3M, ESPE Division, St. Paul; Cargill,
Minneapolis; and Honeywell, Minneapolis.
Biotechnology - Agriculture, environmental, food science and
pharmaceuticals.
-- Emerging company finalists are Algos Therapeutics, Inc., St. Paul;
Biopolymer Engineering, Eagan; and Medisyn Technologies, Minnetonka.
-- Established company finalists are Cargill, Health & Food Technologies,
Minneapolis; MGI Pharma, Bloomington; and The Schwan Food Company,
Marshall.
IT-Software, Communications, and Infrastructure - Software, networking,
communications, and wireless equipment and products.
-- Emerging company finalists are Agiliti, St. Paul; Compellent, Eden
Prairie; and ProVation Medical, Minneapolis.
-- Established company finalists are British Telecom, BT Americas, Arden
Hills; Digi International, Minnetonka; and Stellent, Eden Prairie.
Medical Technology - Devices, diagnostics and equipment.
-- Emerging company finalists are Incisive Surgical, Plymouth;
Minnetronix, St. Paul; and SurModics, Eden Prairie.
-- Established company finalists are Gillette Children's Specialty
Healthcare, St. Paul; Medtronic, Minneapolis; and Possis Medical, Coon
Rapids.
Technology Services - Finding innovative solutions for a client's use of
technology.
-- Emerging company finalists are ePredix Holdings, Minneapolis; E-Travel
Experts, Eden Prairie; and Jasc Software, Eden Prairie.
-- Established company finalists are Cargill, Minneapolis; Digital River,
Eden Prairie; and Identix, Minnetonka.
Technology User . Innovative application of products or services resulting
in dramatic business improvement or market advantage.
-- Emerging company finalists are CaringBridge, Eagan; Northstar
Aerospace, Duluth; and Thralow, Duluth.
-- Established company finalists are Capella University, Minneapolis;
Cargill, Minneapolis; and Northwest Airlines, Eagan.
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 Fred Rose, president, INSciTE, Plymouth;
Mark Shavlik, president and CEO, Shavlik Technologies, St. Paul; and
Brett Shockely, CEO, Spanlink Communications, Minneapolis.
-- Established company finalists are Kent Ekstrom, vice president,
Cargill, Minneapolis; Dr. Richard Flynn, corporate scientist,
Industrial Business Laboratory, 3M; and John Goodman, president, Fuel
Cell, Entegris.
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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