Stoel Rives, one of the nation’s most highly respected law firms, has opened the nomination period for its third annual Idaho Innovation Awards program. The only program of its kind in the state, the awards are meant to honor forward-thinkers in four categories: Innovator of the Year; Innovative Company of the Year; Innovation of the Year: Commercialized Technology; and Innovation of the Year: Early-State Technology. “What we’re looking for are innovative companies, people and ideas that have the ability to make a difference in an industry or a market segment that’s really kind of game-changing… a significant leap forward,” said Paul Boyd, chairman of this year’s program.
Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 13, and from far more diverse sources. While the past two years have focused exclusively on the technology industry, Boyd said the 2008 program will be open to any innovative firm, individual or idea.
“Success in every venture, and at every level, no matter what the business, depends on innovative thought, direction and design,” he said. “We want to recognize all facets of innovation taking place across the state.”
To accommodate more entrants, Stoel Rives added two new categories: Innovator of the Year and Innovative Company of the Year.
Finalists in each of the four categories will be announced in September and both winners and finalists will be honored at a luncheon in October. The award is a crystal statuette and some much-deserved attention.
“One of the things that we’ve noticed in the past is that the innovators, the people who are grinding away in R & D labs, really appreciate an opportunity to be recognized, to meet people who are working in similar fields and exchange ideas,” Boyd said.
Finalists and winners will be selected by a panel of technology and business leaders. Past winners have included the Idaho National Laboratory, MetaGeek, Micron Technology, Ugobe and AMI Semiconductor. Stoel Rives puts on a similar program in Salt Lake City.
Nomination forms can be submitted at www.stoel.com/innovation.
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