And the 2017 Silicon Prairie Award Winners Are…

Last night, over 300 entrepreneurs and business leaders from around the Silicon Prairie came together for the 5th annual Silicon Prairie Awards. Shonna Dorsey and Keith Fix emceed the awards show on stage at the Omaha Design Center. Nine businesses and individuals were recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the Midwest startup community. Winners…

Silicon Prairie Awards emcees Shonna Dorsey and Keith Fix. Photos by Christine McGuigan.

Last night, over 300 entrepreneurs and business leaders from around the Silicon Prairie came together for the 5th annual Silicon Prairie Awards. Shonna Dorsey and Keith Fix emceed the awards show on stage at the Omaha Design Center.

Nine businesses and individuals were recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to the Midwest startup community. Winners were chosen via a combination of public votes––which totaled in the hundreds––and by a panel of judges.

Winners took home signature golden prairie dog trophies and the honor to call themselves some of the most inspiring and innovative professionals in the region.

Congratulations to the 2017 winners!

Investor of the Year – Invest Nebraska

Student Entrepreneur of the Year – Anne Bachmann

Technologist of the Year – Tony Noecker

Silicon Prairie Champion – Erica Wassinger

Lifetime Achievement Award – Proxibid

Corporate Innovator of the Year – Nelnet

Executive of the Year – Ben Pankonin

New Startup of the Year – Bungii

Startup of the Year – Bulu Box

Thank you to the Silicon Prairie Awards sponsors – Cox Business, Dundee Venture Capital, Drive Spotter, Valmont, The Startup Collaborative, Grinnell Mutual, Next Level Ventures and Lazarus.

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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2 responses to “And the 2017 Silicon Prairie Award Winners Are…”

  1. […] joined eight other businesses and individuals who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to start-up communities in the Midwest from […]

  2. […] Prairie gathered at the Omaha Design Center on May 2 for the announcement of the 2017 winners. The Silicon Prairie Award celebration is held to honor companies and individuals for their outstanding products, strong leadership and […]