CBIC Entrepreneur of the Year – Kristina Loftus | Rhoback
Sponsored by: Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC)
Kristina has scaled Rhoback from a bold idea to a nationally recognized lifestyle brand—all while championing innovation, team culture, and social good.

CBIC Employer of the Year – Tiger
Sponsored by: Cville Capital Partners
From fueling beloved local brands to empowering employees, Tiger leads with purpose, people, and a commitment to community impact.

CBIC Startup of the Year – Caju AI
Sponsored by: 434 Accelerator
With a sleek, secure, insight-rich platform, Caju.AI is revolutionizing how organizations engage with their customers—at scale.

CBIC Student Entrepreneur of the Year – Adair Maynard | Memorial Tribute Legacy
Sponsored by: City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development
Through QR-linked digital storytelling, Adair is modernizing memorials while showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit at UVA Darden.

CBIC Educator of the Year – Tal Thompson | Community Lab School
Sponsored by: Albemarle County Economic Development Office
Reimagining math education with a student-first approach, Tal is sparking confidence, mastery, and joy in the next generation of STEM minds.

CBIC Tech in Education Grant ($2,500) – Tal Thompson | Community Lab School
Sponsored by: North Fork
Awarded to the Educator of the Year to support continued innovation in the classroom.

CBIC Innovator of the Year – Avant Genomics
Sponsored by: Venture Central
With its game-changing liquid biopsy tech, Avant Genomics is setting a new standard in early cancer detection—saving lives and rewriting the future of biotech.

CBIC Partnership of the Year – CvilleBioHub | Commonwealth BioAccelerator
Sponsored by: Gray Fox Mortgage and Nest Realty
This groundbreaking initiative is fueling Virginia’s biotech boom through targeted mentorship, funding access, and statewide commercialization support.

CBIC Business of the Year – Virginia Diodes
Sponsored by: Flora Pettit
Pushing the limits of mmWave and THz tech, Virginia Diodes is accelerating the future of 6G, space exploration, and advanced radar systems—while strengthening Charlottesville’s economic base.

CBIC Social Good Award – Autism Sanctuary
Sponsored by: Design Clarity
This award honors a person or organization making technology and entrepreneurship a force for good in our community.

CBIC Impact Award – Tim Rose
Sponsored by: Hantzmon Wiebel CPA and Advisory Services
From his transformative leadership at the UVA Foundation to shaping innovation hubs like North Fork, Tim’s vision has forever changed Charlottesville’s innovation landscape.

CBIC Volunteer of the Year – Hope (Rana) McCutcheon
Sponsored by: Charlottesville Business Innovation Council (CBIC)
Recognized for her tireless behind-the-scenes work that keeps CBIC’s engine running and events thriving.

CBIC Innovators Row People’s Choice Award – [Live audience vote]
Sponsored by: Longevity Health Clinic
Selected by gala attendees via CBIC InnoBucks, this award celebrates the crowd favorite exhibiting on Innovators Row. Innovators Row exhibitors included: Aedify, Bloomtrak, BrokerBotics, CargoLabs, Chiefly, Coeurative, Land Credit, MedSafely, MetaCTF OnDemand Labs, Métopi, milkmade, Mocktail Club, RVPBAR, and Wizzer App.