After reviewing over 100 nominations, TechUnited:NJ and its Selection Committee honored 21 winners at its Annual Award Celebration, a virtual event on Wednesday December 9, 2020.
“TechUnited is proud to have the opportunity to recognize these leaders to inspire hope and connect our great community. In a year marked by so much change, challenge, and uncertainty, we hope to provide a representation of just how resilient the tech community is. Our best wishes to the nominees and winners this year who are working hard to build a better future for all.” shared TechUnited CEO Aaron Price.
The TechUnited selection committee: community leaders Virginia Allin (PNC), Skip Braun (Grant Thornton), Kathleen Coviello (NJEDA) along with the TechUnited team reviewed all nominations to select the most promising individuals and organizations to honor with the 2020 mix of legacy and brand-new awards.
To learn more about this year’s award winners and sponsors, keep reading!
2020 awards include:
Apprentice.io is the winner of the 2020 Beacon of Light Award, sponsored by KPMG. This award is presented to a company that has developed a product or service that has improved health, and was accepted by Angelo Stracquatanio, Co-founder & CEO.
New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) is the winner of the 2020 Collaboration Award. This award is presented to a company for unique collaborative efforts leading to growth of the innovation ecosystem, and was accepted by Michele Siekerka, President & CEO.
Fulcrum Digital is the winner of the 2020 Technology Development Award, sponsored by NJIT. This award is presented to a company or organization that utilizes or has developed a tech tool, process or service that made a substantial improvement on business metrics, and was accepted by Rajesh Sinha, Founder & Chairman.
CompoSecure is the winner of the 2020 Private Company of the Year Award, sponsored by Ernst & Young. This award is presented to a market leader, unique product/service and possesses a strong financial performance, and was accepted by Jon Wilk, CEO.
Roar AR is the winner of the 2020 Emerging Company of the Year Award, sponsored by Phone.com. This award is presented to a company which has the strongest potential to become a leader in the tech industry, and was accepted by Oksana Sokolovsky, Co-founder & CEO.
Nuts.com is the winner of the 2020 Trailblazer Award, sponsored by EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants. This award is presented to a company that has developed and/or introduced a novel, non-traditional and innovative way of doing business or creating a culture that produced a significant value and growth for the company, and was accepted by Jeff Braverman, CEO.
Cross River is the winner of the 2020 Impact Company of the Year Award, sponsored by PNC. This award recognizes a market leader with employment growth, significant impact on the community it serves, and strong profit margin, and was accepted by Phil Goldfeder, SVP – Public Affairs.
Hello Products is the winner of the 2020 Consumer Product Award, sponsored by Optima Global Solutions. This award is presented to a company that has developed a transformational consumer product, and was accepted by Craig Dubitsky, Friendly Founder.
MTBC, Inc. is the winner of the 2020 Public Company of the Year Award, sponsored by BDO. This award is presented to a company that demonstrates strong operating results, stock price appreciation and sustained growth, and was accepted by Bill Korn, CFO.
PeduL is the winner of the 2020 Innovation in Education Award. This award is presented to a program which utilizes innovative technology while encouraging students to pursue higher education or training in science, technology, engineering or math, and was accepted by Kayla Michèle, Co-founder & COO.
Flow Commerce is the winner of the 2020 Innovative Company Award, sponsored by Yorktel. This award is presented to a company which, through innovation in products, services or business approach, has grown to become a serious competitor in the marketplace, and was accepted by Rob Keve, Co-founder & CEO.
Don Katz, Founder & Executive Chairman of Audible is the winner of the 2020 Legend of Technology Award, sponsored by McCarter & English. This award is presented to an individual who, over several decades, had a significant impact on the technology industry in the state/region.
Dr. Joel Bloom, President of NJIT, is the winner of the 2020 Martinson-Ballen Technology Supporter Award, sponsored by Tech Council Ventures. This award is presented to an individual, currently active in the tech community, who has demonstrated a significant commitment to the support and advancement of technology and innovation.
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is the winner of the 2020 CleanTech Champion Award, sponsored by PSEG. This award is presented to a company or individual who represents the future of the cleantech industry, as well as the equity & opportunity that energy innovation provides, and was accepted by Jessica Dealy, External Affairs Lead.
Hackensack Meridian Health is the winner of the 2020 HealthTech Champion Award. This award is presented to a company or individual who represents the future of the healthcare industry, as well as the equity & opportunity that constant collaboration and innovation provides, and was accepted by Sandra Powell-Elliott, VP of Life Sciences & Innovation.
Misfits Market is the winner of the 2020 Smart Cities Champion Award. This award is presented to a company or individual who represents the future of the smart cities industry, as well as the equity & opportunity that constant collaboration and innovation provides, and was accepted by Abhi Ramesh, Founder & CEO.
Verizon is the winner of the 2020 Technology Company Award, sponsored by RSM. This award is presented to a company that has long term growth and profitability; substantial impact on industry and market within the last ten years; advancement of industry standards and accomplishments as an outstanding corporate citizen, and was accepted by Sampath Sowmyanarayan, President of Global Enterprise.
NJ First Lady Tammy Murphy is the winner of the 2020 Pandemic Leadership Award, sponsored by Investors Bank. This award is presented to a company or individual who worked tirelessly during the pandemic to provide solutions, support, representation, & opportunity for their customers, employees, and community.
Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, of the New Jersey Legislature, is the winner of the 2020 Legislative Champion Award. This award is presented to a leader in the state’s congressional delegation or state government deserving recognition for supporting the tech community. The individual has demonstrated achievements including, but not limited to, taking a leadership role in the development of significant legislation resulting in a positive effect for the New Jersey ecosystem.
Rick Thigpen, Senior Vice President of PSEG, is the winner of the 2020 Changemaker Award. This award is presented to an individual who promoted diversity, inclusion, and equity in 2020.
Sam Caucci, Founder & CEO of 1Huddle, is the winner of the 2020 Founder Award. This award is presented to an entrepreneur who in 2020 succeeded as much as they failed.
And also watch the sing-along to Aaron Price’s performance Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”, the song we decided as our 2020 TechUnited community anthem.
About TechUnited:NJ
TechUnited:NJ, which was founded in 1996, is a membership non-profit organization that offers opportunities for tech-related companies with an interest in New Jersey economic and business development to connect, collaborate, and grow. TechUnited:NJ (formerly known as the NJ Tech Council) has created and held successful conferences in the region as well as an annual Awards Celebration, regular meetings & venture events, and career development forums. TechUnited:NJ is dedicated to supporting and helping tech-related inventions and companies advance. Currently, over 500,000 innovators belong to the organization (https://techunited.co)
