Winners, finalists named for Arizona Governor’s Celebration of Innovation awards
The Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority have unveiled the honorees for the 2024 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation awards.
The names of the individual award winners were released earlier this month, while the company award winners will be announced at the awards event and technology showcase on Nov. 13 at Chateau Luxe, 1175 E. Lone Cactus Drive in Phoenix. Purchase tickets here.
“The tech industry in Arizona is thriving, expanding its reach and leading global advancements across numerous vital sectors,” Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Tech Council and SciTech Institute, said in a statement. “With this remarkable progress, selecting our individual and company award winners becomes increasingly challenging each year. Each candidate truly merits recognition, and it’s a privilege to celebrate their achievements at GCOI annually.”
The event, which honors leaders and innovators in the Arizona technology community, consists of a gala-style evening of networking, dining and entertainment with news personality Carey Peña hosting the awards ceremony, according to an Arizona Technology Council release.
The individual and company award winners and finalists were evaluated and chosen by the following selection committee of experts independent of the Arizona Technology Council: Keith Latchaw, MSS Business Transformation Advisory; Doug Hockstad, Tech Launch Arizona, The University of Arizona; Eric Miller, PADT Inc.; Jeff Koenig, Desert Angels.
Innovator of the Year Small Company finalists:
- Air2O – Phoenix
- Nikola Corp. – Phoenix
- Phantom Space Corp. – Tucson
Innovator of the Year Startup finalists:
- Blackstar Orbital Technology – Sierra Vista
- iCRx Inc. – Tucson
- Swift Coat – Phoenix
Judges Award finalists:
- Arizona State University, Center for Science and the Imagination
- Arizona State University, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College
- Rio Salado College
People’s Choice AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement award winners:
- Kathleen “KJ” Jolivette, vice president/general manager, Boeing Vertical Lift
- Jim Cantrell, CEO and co-founder, Phantom Space
Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year winner:
- Tech Parks Arizona, University of Arizona – Tucson
Innovator of the Year large company winner:
- LiveOps – Scottsdale
Innovator of the Year academia winner:
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence – Tucson
Transformational Leadership award winner:
- Edwards – Chandler