Catalyst Awards Nominations Open Print E-mail

2010 Catalyst Awards Nominations Now Open - Nominations Due August 20!
July 22, 2010

Educate – Innovate – Celebrate
Awards recognize regional innovation and technology accomplishments

 

(Spokane, Wash.) – Nominations are now open for the 2010 Catalyst Awards.  The Catalyst Awards recognize contributions by individuals, organizations and businesses that demonstrate the utilization of innovation and technology to bring economic growth and prosperity to the region.  The theme of this year’s awards is “Educate – Innovate – Celebrate,” and the awards are growing to include an additional category for Emerging Innovator of the Year.  This award recognizes an under-35 individual or team who has developed or implemented new forms of innovation and technology to help grow our economy.

Award categories are:

  • Company of the Year
  • Clean/Green Company of the Year
  • Organization of the Year
  • Clean/Green Organization of the Year
  • Mentor of the Year
  • Ken Grunzweig Innovator of the Year
  • Emerging Innovator of the Year – Under 35

Download a nomination form which you can fill-out on your computer and
(1) print and fax in (509.624.3759) or
(2) save to your computer and attach to email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or
(3) mail in, 801 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201 or
(4) call Robin, 509.321.3636. 

The deadline for nominations is August 20, 2010.  The awards will have a new home beginning this year – The University District.  As a designated Washington State Innovation Partnership Zone, the University District is recognized for its contribution to bio and health sciences, and as a live/learn/work/play confluence of innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, scholarship, and neighborhood development that provides an ongoing stream of economic growth and business opportunity for the region.

“As a part of our University District Month celebration in October, the University District Development Association (UDDA) is excited to host this year’s Catalyst Awards as a way to recognize and commemorate our region’s most successful and inspiring innovators. As the epicenter for education, research, and economic revitalization in the region, the University District is an ideal place for this event," said Brandon Betty, University District Project Coordinator.

The awards will be presented on October 6, 2010 on the Gonzaga University Campus.  More information will be forthcoming about the venue and time.

This event is hosted in partnership by the University District Development Association, Technet, and Greater Spokane Incorporated, and is sponsored by McKinstry, the Journal of Business, and Dean Davis Photography.

Previous winners of the Catalyst Awards have included:

  • Absolute Aviation
  • Signature Genomics
  • Telect Inc.
  • Avista Corporation
  • Washington State University
  • Itron, Inc.
  • Inland Northwest Health Services
  • Gonzaga University Hogan Program
  • Fred Brown, CEO of NextIT
  • John Overby, Sirti

Click here for a complete list of past winners.

About Greater Spokane Incorporated
Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) is committed to accelerating regional economic prosperity throughout the Spokane region – an area that serves as the business and cultural hub of the Inland Northwest and supports a population of 1.4 million.  GSI is the area’s only Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council, providing leadership to build a stronger economy since 1881.  GSI is funded by more than 1,400 private-sector member investors; Washington State; Spokane County; and the cities of Spokane; Spokane Valley; Liberty Lake; Cheney; Airway Heights; Medical Lake; Newport and Millwood.  For more information, visit www.greaterspokane.org or contact us at 509-624-1393 or 1-800-SPOKANE.

About Technet
Founded in 1991 to enhance the local technology networking of Inland NW businesses and organizations, Technet served as the primary coordinator of technology events for the region.  As founders of the Catalyst Award, Technet serves the community by supporting the annual Catalyst Awards to recognize innovation in technology. The Technet Board of Directors focuses on supporting scholarships for students interested in technology fields.  The Catalyst Innovator of the Year award honors Mr. Ken Grunzweig, a local entrepreneur, volunteer and mentor who exemplified the essence of innovation and provided many hours of support to organizations like Technet, Gonzaga University and numerous start-up companies.  Mr. Grunzweig passed away in 2004 after a brief illness. 

About the University District
The University District is a live/work/play confluence of innovation, discovery, entrepreneurship, scholarship and neighborhood development that provides an ongoing stream of economic growth and business opportunity for the region. The District offers opportunities to address economic development issues, urban growth, environmental restoration, transportation and affordable housing needs.  Connecting the core strengths of the educational institutions with regional economic drivers forms an urban laboratory for the creation of new knowledge and opportunities for applied, community-engaged research, resulting in economic value and quality of life.  For more information on the University District, visit www.spokaneuniversitydistrict.com.