CEDAR RAPIDS, IA—APRIL 6, 2010—The Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC) is pleased to announce that three of its clients were among the Corridor businesses recognized last night at the fifth-annual Prometheus Awards, hosted by the Technology Association of Iowa (TAI). This distinguished list of clients includes: Geonetric (Cedar Rapids), Ovation Networks (Cedar Rapids) and J&J Solutions (Iowa City).
The 2010 Prometheus Awards, held April 6, at the Meadows Convention Center in Altoona, IA, recognizes companies, innovations and individuals that positively impact Iowa’s technology-based economy. Over 500 people were in attendance at the Awards to celebrate the best and brightest technology companies in Iowa.
Geonetric was recognized for IT Innovation in Health. This award honors an innovation that improves the delivery, quality and cost of health care. Geonetric helps hospitals and health systems develop and implement web strategies to engage their patients and communities online. Geonetric was voted Software Company of the Year at the 2007 Prometheus Awards and CEO Eric Engelmann was recognized as CEO of Year (Small/Medium Company) at last year’s event.
Cedar Rapids-based Ovation Networks was recognized as Clean Technology Company of the Year. This award recognizes a company that manufacturers environmentally sound products or solutions that result in reduced consumption, waste or pollution. Ovation Networks, Inc. currently enables hospitality businesses to provide high speed wireless, Internet connectivity, guest support and energy management solutions.
J&J Solutions was awarded Outstanding Startup Company of the Year. This award honors businesses fewer than five years old, with less than $1 million in annual revenue. J&J Solutions manufactures medical devices. Its first product is a drug-handling device that keeps hazardous medications from coming in contact with unintended people while drugs are being prepared, administered and disposed. The company was recognized as Student Start-Up of the Year at the 2009 Prometheus Awards and was a finalist for Life Sciences Company of the Year at this year’s awards.
“It is a great accomplishment for our clients to be recognized by the Technology Association of Iowa,” said Curt Nelson, President and CEO of the EDC. “It is high-growth, innovative companies like these that will play the largest role in revitalizing Iowa’s economy.”
“This was our first Prometheus Awards and it was an honor to be recognized as Clean Technology Company of the Year,” said Larry Selensky, President and CEO of Ovation Networks. “Our team has worked diligently to expand our product line to address energy efficiency in the hospitality industry. We look forward to making a significant contribution to the nation’s green initiative.”
SecurityCoverage, a Cedar Rapids business EDC worked with early on, was also recognized as Technology Company of the Year (Small/Medium category). SecurityCoverage provides desktop computing security and technical support services to residential and small business customers. SecurityCoverage was also a finalist for IT Service Provider of the Year.
Additionally, EDC client HH Ventures (dba Ready Mobile) was a finalist for Top Growth Company, Technology Company of the Year (Large/Enterprise) and CEO of the Year.
About the EDC
The Entrepreneurial Development Center was incorporated in 2003 as a community-sponsored, non-profit business accelerator. The company provides economic growth through the development and expansion of entrepreneurial enterprises and has successfully assisted over 300 Iowa-headquartered businesses. Its focus is on creating local wealth for area re-investment by growing and cultivating regional, national, and international businesses.
