This town clearly loves its tech & innovation community
For the first time in its 22-year history, the CBIC Awards gala was held not in a ballroom or theater, but in the new gathering realm that is the Internet. Last night, with 300 estimated viewers, Central Virginia's leading innovators raised glasses in unison all over town from remote viewing locations -- even as far away as Martha’s Vineyard and San Diego -- to honor recipients of the 2020 CBIC Awards.
A virtual gala wasn't the original plan. And we were all wishing we could be together. But what the CBIC team of volunteers created was incredibly interactive (the dance parties!), fun to watch (Tech on Tap will never be the same!), easy to participate in (so many great discussions to join!), and as our attendees told us, it set the bar for virtual events.
From healthcare to farming, and education to cyber security, we are clearly passionate about entrepreneurship and we love living and working in Central Virginia. CBIC provides a rich forum for sharing, learning, connecting and building this ecosystem.
To ensure this continues, renew your CBIC membership, join the discussions, sponsor CBIC events and let's keep this incredible community alive and thriving!
Thank you so much! We are so proud of all of you and all that you will achieve!
2020 Gala Emcee: Mr. Chiedo John
Mr. Chiedo John is Engineering Manager at GitHub and Founder of Generate Impact. As the 2020 Gala Emcee, we're so excited to have Chiedo bring you his energy and enthusiasm to this year's gala!
Recognizes one tech or tech-centric business or organization that serves as a model of achievement to which others can aspire, including such indicators as financial success, growth, healthy work environment, commitment to innovation, and contribution to the community.
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Recognizes one K-12 educator who has set an example of incorporating the principles of innovation, entrepreneurship, invention, and/or technological achievement in a classroom setting.
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Recognizes one individual who currently embodies all the elements of successful tech-centric entrepreneurship, including innovation, employment, leadership, finance, determination, and persistence.
Recognizes an individual or organization for their creativity and resourcefulness in the development of a new product, service or product candidate, and can also include the means by which their innovation will reach its end user.
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Recognizes one technology or tech-centric business for its noteworthy achievement of generating secure well paying, primarily tech jobs and retaining highly skilled workers that enhances our ecosystem and benefits the local economy.
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The CBIC Partnership of the Year Award recognizes new partnership built in the last 18 months that model collaborative innovation and achievement which inspires others, and resulted as well in successful outcomes for the partnership itself, local businesses, education, non-profits, and/or the community at large. Preference will be given to partnerships that transcend each member’s
respective purview.
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CBIC recognizes one entrepreneurial effort that is focused on social good. While they might not have the financial success of other startups, their goal is improvement of the common good more so than private gain. Some classic examples of social goods are clean air, clean water and literacy, and can include access to services such as healthcare. Further, candidates for this award may include startup organizations enhancing our region's ecosystem for the common good. For the purpose of this award, a startup is defined as a breakout company that has been operational for 3 years or less, and preference will be given to those candidates that are tech and tech-centric businesses.
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CBIC recognizes an innovation-centric business whose principals exhibit passion, devotion, and innovation. Has also demonstrated significant progress over the recent years or has made an impact as determined by jobs created, revenue generated, or other metrics. For the purpose of this award, a startup is defined as a breakout company that has been operational for 5 years or less and/or is still primarily pre-revenue.
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CBIC recognizes one student entrepreneur – or a team of student entrepreneurs – who have successfully created or advanced the development of a new product, service or product candidate, providing an example to other students to pursue entrepreneurship while at school.
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Recognizes one CBIC volunteer who has gone above and beyond the average to make substantial and lasting contributions to the cause of advancing the organization, which is recognizing and rewarding the innovative entrepreneurs in our community.
To keep this award winner a secret from our expert cadre of volunteers, nominations are not published publicly.
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The CBIC Student Entrepreneur of the Year recipient receives the CBIC Student Innovation Grant award of $1,000 to further their innovation-based business.
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CBIC’s Tech Tour Scholarships recipients will each receive $2,500 scholarships. Scholarships are awarded each year to two area high school students who plan to pursue education beyond high school in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM).
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The CBIC Educator of the Year recipient receives a Technology in Education Grant award of $2,500 to be used on a technology investment of their choice for their classroom or students.
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The CBIC Awards honor Central Virginia's most innovative organizations, startups and individuals and highlight technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial excellence. Relive all of the suspense, gratitude, and fun from the 21st Annual CBIC Awards Gala, held back in May 2019 at the beautiful Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville.
The CBIC Awards Gala showcases Central Virginia entrepreneurs, innovators, and organizations that contribute significantly to the region's innovation ecosystem. Innovators Row is a popular element of the Gala that connects established tech community leaders and enthusiasts with local disruptors.
