The Technology Association of Iowa (TAI) on Thursday celebrated the growth and achievement of 16 companies, communities, and organizations alongside dozens of individuals who were invited to take center stage during the 2016 Prometheus Awards.
Nearly 1,000 people attended the 11th annual event, sponsored by LWBJ and focused on an “Our Future is Now” centered theme.
“There is a global war going on,” TAI President Brian Waller said. “It’s no different in Iowa, and it’s especially no different in the tech industry…. We put the highest priority on making this industry welcoming and accessible to all people, no matter where you started your journey in life.”
A broad range of honorees, with an emphasis on everything from agriculture to medicine, information technology to musical entertainment, were selected by a 16-person panel of judges tasked with the evaluation of more than 100 submissions.
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Two new award categories were inaugurated by the association – amid a record-setting number of nominations and record-breaking attendance this year.
Debi Durham, director of Iowa Economic Development Authority, took the podium to usher in TAI’s Technology Community of the Year with the Iowa City Area taking home the award in 2016.
Brent Willett, executive director of Iowa’s Cultivation Corridor, presented John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group with the first Ag Technology Company of the Year award.
The 2016 Prometheus Awards ceremony was filled with themes that revolved around tech-inspired education, mentorship, innovation, economic development, business, community and opportunities in Iowa’s 21st century entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Presentations included reflection by Dallas Center Grimes High School students – with regards to their experience at the tech hub HyperStream – in addition to comments by both Jay Byers and Mike Colwell who on behalf of the Greater Des Moines Partnership accepted this year’s LWBJ Impact Award.
Antonio Kioko, chair of TAI’s Diversity and Inclusion committee and assistant director of IT with Principal Financial Group delivered the opening remarks.
“Let’s continue to make Iowa a welcoming state where anyone who dares to dream, anyone who dares to make a positive impact, can succeed.”
A complete list of 2016 Prometheus Award winners may be found below:
Mobile App of the Year – 80/35 Music Festival
Software Company of the Year – Phantom EFX
IT Service Provider of the Year – Involta
Top Growth Company of the Year – Workiva
Best User of Technology – Harrisvaccines
CIO/CTO/CSO of the Year – Dr. Mark Mogler, Harrisvaccines
CEO of the Year Bruce Lehrman – Involta
LWBJ IMPACT AWARD: Impacting Iowa’s Technology Future – The Greater Des Moines Partnership
Student Innovation of the Year – KinoSol
Outstanding Startup Company of the Year – FunnelWise
Life Sciences/Biotech Company of the Year – Harrisvaccines
Ag Technology Company of the Year – John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group
Technology Community of the Year – Iowa City Area
Technology Company of the Year (Small/Medium) – Harrisvaccines
Technology Company of the Year (Large/Enterprise) – Workiva
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Todd Razor is a Des Moines-based writer and multimedia storyteller who covers technology and innovation in the real estate, construction and manufacturing industries.
