Awards

2021 Award Categories and Descriptions

1 Winner and 4 Honorable Mentions

Description:

Description: Through the Entrepreneur of the Year: Scaling Company award, we seek to recognize founders of scaling companies that are doing at least $1,000,00 in annual revenue and who have distinguished themselves through milestones reached in 2021. For example: rate of growth, geographic expansion, number of new jobs created, unique innovation that has brought attention to the state of Connecticut.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Assess the volume and value of the milestones achieved in 2021.
  • Maturity: Assess the entrepreneur’s business maturity. This is not an assessment of their age rather the intent is to give a value to how much they are developed as an entrepreneur from the information given. In other words, what’s their EQ (entrepreneurial quotient)?
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3 if neutral).
Description:

Through the Entrepreneur of the Year: Scalable Venture Awards, we seek to recognize founders of scalable ventures who have distinguished themselves through milestones reached in 2021. For example: rate of growth, geographic expansion, number of new jobs created, unique innovation that has brought attention to the state of Connecticut.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Assess the volume and value of the milestones achieved in 2021.
  • Maturity: Assess the entrepreneur’s business maturity. This is not an assessment of their age rather the intent is to give a value to how much they are developed as an entrepreneur from the information given. In other words, what’s their EQ (entrepreneurial quotient)?
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3, if neutral).
Description:

Through the Entrepreneur of the Year: Main Street Award, we seek to recognize founders of local ventures who have distinguished themselves through milestones reached in 2021. For example: built and sustained a skilled workforce, steady and/or increasing revenues, strong community investment, innovative product or business model.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Assess the volume and value of the milestones achieved in 2021.
  • Maturity: Assess the entrepreneur’s business maturity. This is not an assessment of their age rather the intent is to give a value to how much they are developed as an entrepreneur from the information given. In other words, what’s their EQ (entrepreneurial quotient)?
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3, if neutral).
Description:

Through the Entrepreneur of the Year: Social Good Award, we seek to recognize founders of social enterprise and nonprofit ventures who have distinguished themselves through milestones reached in 2021. For example: presents a clear theory of change, utilizes an innovative strategy, has demonstrated a positive social impact, has a sustainable model, has the capacity and desire to grow.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Assess the volume and value of the milestones achieved in 2021.
  • Maturity: Assess the entrepreneur’s business maturity. This is not an assessment of their age rather the intent is to give a value to how much they are developed as an entrepreneur from the information given. In other words, what’s their EQ (entrepreneurial quotient)?
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3, if neutral).
Description:

Through the Entrepreneur of the Year: Student Award, we seek to recognize founders of student led ventures who have distinguished themselves through milestones reached in 2021. For example: presents a strong value proposition, can demonstrate interest or commitment from investors, is in an advanced stage of development, shows a high level of personal commitment. To be considered students can be going to school in CT or enrolled in school outside of CT but their residence is in CT.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Assess the volume and value of the milestones achieved in 2021.
  • Maturity: Assess the entrepreneur’s business maturity. This is not an assessment of their age rather the intent is to give a value to how much they are developed as an entrepreneur from the information given. In other words, what’s their EQ (entrepreneurial quotient)?
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3, if neutral).
Description:

Through the Venture of the Year: Revenue Award, we seek to recognize revenue generating ventures that represent the best idea, fastest growing, best exit, best potential for disruption, etc.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Assess the volume and value of the milestones achieved in 2021.
  • Traction: Assess this venture’s traction, change in traction or the change in the viability of the business model in 2020.
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3, if neutral).
Description:

Through the Venture of the Year: Pre-Revenue Award, we seek to recognize pre-revenue ventures that represent the best market validation, best idea, best potential for disruption, etc.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Assess the volume and value of the milestones achieved in 2021.
  • Traction: Assess this venture’s traction, change in traction or the change in the viability of the business model in 2020.
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3, if neutral).
Description:

Through the Community Builder of the Year Award, we seek to recognize the advisor, mentor, collaborator, instigator, etc. who works outside of their day job to foster collaboration and build the entrepreneurial community in their area of CT or the state as a whole.

Judge Criteria:
  • Milestones: Value of community building goals accomplished or milestones hit.
  • Activity: Rate the volume (variety or sheer number) of community building activities.
  • Intangible / Overall:: Rank nominator comment quality (not volume) or other observations (score 3, if neutral).

Community Favorites

1 Winner and 2 Honorable Mentions

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Entrepreneur: Scalable Venture Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite founder of a scalable venture.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Entrepreneur: Main Street Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite founder of a local venture.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Entrepreneur: Social Good Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite founder of a social enterprise or nonprofit venture.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Entrepreneur: Student Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite student venture founder. To be considered students can be going to school in CT or enrolled in school outside of CT but their residence is in CT.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Venture: Revenue Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite revenue generating venture.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Venture: Pre-Revenue Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite pre-revenue revenue venture.


Description:

Through the Community Favorite Community Builder Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite advisor, mentor, collaborator, instigator, etc.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Entrepreneur: Scaling Company, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite founder of a scaling company that is doing at least $1,000,000 in annual revenue.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Space Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite coworking, makerspace, etc.


Description:

Through the Community Favorite Program Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite accelerator, incubator, grant, etc.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Economic Development Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite public advocate, public servant, economic development initiative, etc.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Event Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite pitch, hackathon, networking, learning, etc.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Education Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite university, K-12, class, teacher/professor, program, community, etc.

Description:

Through the Community Favorite Corporate/Institutional Award, we seek to recognize the communities most favorite community corporate or institutional partner, sponsor, collaborator, etc.

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