Two Educators Join Ranks of Technology Innovators Honored at Fifth-Annual
Awards Ceremony
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ceremony held last night at the
Minneapolis Convention Center, the 2004 Tekne Awards honored technology
innovators from around the state of Minnesota, including two Minnesota
educators who have pioneered technology initiatives in the state. Sponsored by
the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) and Minnesota Technology Inc.
(MTI), in partnership with Medical Alley, MNBIO and Minnesota Project
Innovation, the Tekne Awards annually honor Minnesota's best and brightest
technology innovators.
Recipients of the Tekne Awards are technology leaders who have made
lasting contributions to enhancing Minnesota's quality of life and economic
competitiveness. In 2004, the Tekne Awards for the first time honored two
educators:
-- The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to H. Ted Davis, dean of the
University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, for his years of
outstanding innovation and leadership in research and education. Davis
helped create the University of Minnesota's Digital Technology Center
and Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as new master's
degree programs in software engineering and infrastructural systems
engineering. His initiatives have made a tremendous impact on
Minnesota's technology-related economy.
-- The Innovation in Teaching award, a new category recognizing an
educator who uses innovative technology to create exciting learning
opportunities for students, was awarded to Mark Deming of Lakeville's
Orchard Lake Elementary School. Deming was honored for his work
bringing the district's oldest elementary school up to par
technologically with new schools.
The complete listing of 2004 Tekne Award categories and recipients
includes:
INNOVATION AWARD, which honors a business, academic institution, teacher
or collaboration that has demonstrated leadership, dedication and excellence
in the development of an innovation in key areas, contributing to Minnesota's
technology-based economy.
-- Emerging company recipient (annual revenues under $50 million) is Eden
Prairie-based NVE Corporation. NVE Corporation developed a spintronic
magnet random access memory (MRAM) with the potential to revolutionize
electronic memory and replace semiconductor memories in many
applications.
-- Established company recipient (annual revenues of $50 million or more)
is St. Paul-based 3M. The 3M Medical Division created the 3M Avagard
Surgical Hand Antiseptic that is applied to hands without the need for
water or a scrub brush, delivering superior bacterial kill through a
"touchless" dispensing system.
-- "Innovation in Teaching" recipient is Mark Deming of Lakeville's
Orchard Lake Elementary School. Deming's technology initiatives include
a student-run multimedia show for morning announcements and a Mobile
Computer Lab that brings laptops into the classroom.
TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AWARD, which recognizes companies or divisions within
established companies that exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and promise
continued economic growth through technology development or application in one
of six categories:
1. 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 recipient is The Protomold Company, based in Maple
Plain, Minn. Protomold's "rapid injection molding" process enables
design engineers to begin the molding process online, reducing time,
improving product quality and minimizing material costs.
-- Established company recipient is St. Paul-based 3M. The 3M Filtek
Supreme Universal Restorative dental composite is built from the
molecular level to achieve a combination of strength and aesthetics
beyond current restoratives.
2. Biotechnology -- Agriculture, environmental, food science and
pharmaceuticals.
-- Emerging company recipient is Minnetonka-based Medisyn Technologies
Inc. Medisyn Technologies allows drug design and qualification in
weeks to save hundreds of millions of dollars off the
commercialization cycle.
-- Established company recipient is Minneapolis-based Cargill. Cargill
Health & Food Technologies developed a proprietary form of plant
sterols that reduce cholesterol levels and have been added to orange
juice without altering the taste or appeal of the juice.
3. IT-Software, Communications, and Infrastructure -- Software,
networking, communications, and wireless equipment and products.
-- Emerging company recipient is Eden Prairie-based Compellent.
Compellent developed Storage Center, a modular storage area network
that is an easy, cost-effective way for small and mid-sized
businesses to manage storage.
-- Established company recipient is Eden Prairie-based Stellent.
Stellent Universal Content Management software helps customers
create, manage and share mission-critical business information.
4. Medical Technology -- Devices, diagnostics and equipment.
-- Emerging company recipient is Plymouth-based Incisive Surgical Inc.
Incisive Surgical develops mechanical surgical solutions for
soft-tissue management.
-- Established company recipient is Minneapolis-based Medtronic Inc.
The Medtronic Reveal Plus Insertable Loop Recorder is the only
implantable diagnostic device to record and monitor episodes of
unexplained fainting.
5. Technology Services -- Finding innovative solutions for a client's use
of technology.
-- Emerging company recipient is Eden Prairie-based Jasc Software.
Acquired by Corel Corporation on Oct. 14, Jasc Software develops
products that enhance photos, create graphics and develop websites.
Jasc Paint Shop Pro is in the top three of the digital photography
market, competing with Microsoft and Adobe.
-- Established company recipient is Digital River Inc. of Eden Prairie,
Minn. Digital River builds, manages and grows international online
businesses for more than 400,000 companies with an e-commerce
infrastructure that ensures scalability, reliability and security.
6. Technology User -- Innovative application of products or services
resulting in dramatic business improvement or market advantage.
-- Emerging company recipient is Duluth-based Thralow. Thralow
leverages the Internet to identify efficiencies in marketing,
branding and customer segmentation testing for its unique group of
Internet-based specialty stores.
-- Established company recipient is Eagan-based Northwest Airlines.
Northwest Airlines been a leader in leveraging e-commerce and new
technology globally, allowing Northwest to realize the full
potential of online travel services and respond to changes in the
travel industry.
LEADERSHIP AWARD, which honors an outstanding individual who, beyond a
specific innovation or achievement, has contributed significantly to
Minnesota's technology expansion.
-- Emerging company recipient is Mark Shavlik, president and CEO of St.
Paul-based Shavlik Technologies. Shavlik founded Shavlik Technologies
to offer a unique, market-driven approach to security application
design and development.
-- Established company recipient is Dr. Richard Flynn, corporate scientist
of 3M's Industrial Business Laboratory. Flynn is the principal inventor
and driving force behind hydrofluoroethers and perfluoroketones, which
can replace harmful elements in a range of industries.
About Minnesota High Tech Association (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. For more
information, visit MHTA online at http://www.mhta.org .
About Minnesota Technology Inc. (MTI)
Minnesota Technology Inc. (MTI) is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization whose
mission is to help its business customers gain competitive advantages, support
their growth, and contribute to Minnesota's economic vitality. It fulfills
this work through a statewide staff of expert professionals who have tested
expertise across a wide variety of business, technology, manufacturing,
engineering, publishing and research disciplines. In the last three years, MTI
has helped nearly 2,000 Minnesota companies and made a significant economic
impact. It helped create and retain over 2,500 jobs, saved its clients more
than $70 million, and helped generate $80 million in new technology
investments. For more information visit http://www.minnesotatechnology.org .
SOURCE Minnesota High Tech Association
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http://www.mhta.org
http://www.minnesotatechnology.org
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CONTACT:
Peter Lindstrom of Minnesota High Tech
Association, +1-952-230-4551, plindstrom@mhta.org
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