On Tuesday night, NC Tech held its annual “NC Tech Awards” gala at the Raleigh Convention Center. The event drew a large crowd of leaders in tech, business, education, and government, as well as others from around the ecosystem—not just in the Triangle, but across North Carolina.
After attendees had a chance to mingle and the presenting sponsors (Cherry Bekaert and USI) offered a few words, Sharon Delaney McCloud was introduced as the “emcee” for the evening. From there, the event was off and running, with a who’s-who of influential tech sector figures called up to the stage in succession to honor finalists and announce winners across categories.
Here’s a rundown of the evening’s big winners….
Industry Award for Agtech: Plantd (Oxford)
With an initial focus on the homebuilding industry, this startup is offering “the quickest way” to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and turn it into useful products. Effectively, they are trapping carbon dioxide within durable, sustainable building materials. (See GrepBeat’s feature on Plantd here)
Industry Award for Clean Tech: Natrx (Raleigh)
Natrx uses a tech platform to provide nature-based solutions that help clients identify and act upon climate resilience challenges. Natrx also won the Most Unexpected Walk-Up Music Artist of the Night Award, an unofficial honor, when Smashmouth started blaring. (See GrepBeat’s feature on Natrx here)
Software Company of the Year Award: CData (Chapel Hill)
CData, which was recognized among Inc.’s 5,000 fastest-growing companies in the U.S. earlier this year, is simplifying the connection, integration, and automation of enterprise data.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Award: TransImpact (Emerald Isle)
This beach-based company uses a variety of specific products and tools to help client companies “turn their supply chain into a business advantage.”
Industry Award for Biotech and Healthtech: Medicom (Raleigh)
Creator of the first “federated health information network,” Medicom is making it easier for data to be exchanged on a single interface within a healthcare system. (See GrepBeat’s feature on Medicom here)
Industry Award for Fintech and Insurtech: Vantaca (Wilmington)
Vantaca, which may have provided the evening’s most enthusiastic reaction to a win, is a Wilmington-based company providing software that improves performance in the community management industry.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Award: HowSo (Raleigh)
This Raleigh startup—formerly Diveplane—is building an “Understandable AI Platform” by using data-centric AI rather than neural networks.
Digital Transformation Award: Smarttrak (Holly Springs)
Smarttrak serves renewable assets by providing AI and physics-based models that assist with monitoring, predictive maintenance, and energy forecasting.
Tech Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award: SAS (Cary)
The Cary software giant continues to be a leader in innovative analytics and has emphasized a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
NC-Headquartered Tech Company of the Year: Relay (Raleigh)
This Raleigh-based startup is providing smarter and less limited walkie-talkie alternatives for the benefit of frontline workers.
Tech for Good Award: Relias (Morrisville)
Relias is improving healthcare organizations and the care they provide by improving education through performance metrics, assessments, and the personalization of learning.
Cyber Security Award: Stern Security (Raleigh)
Raleigh-based Stern Security’s primary product, Velocity, is “the most effective and accurate cyber risk quantification platform” using both internal and third-party risk assessments.
IT Services Company of the Year: Aligned Technology Group (Raleigh)
Aligned Technology Group provides Amazon Web Services (AWS) consulting and helps organizations implement best practices for cloud security.
Government Project Award: Town of Cary
The Town of Cary was awarded NC Tech’s Government Project Award effectively for the extensive ways in which the Downtown Cary Park was infused with useful and innovative IoT features.
The NC Tech Awards also recognized its “Top Ten Tech Startups to Watch,” identified this year’s “Great Tech Places to Work,” and honored a host of individual leaders from throughout the sector.
Top Ten Tech Startups to Watch
- Aktiga (Asheville)
- Artemis Immersive (Wilmington; featured here)
- Bionic Health (Durham)
- Bristles AI (Durham)
- Epic Hire (Raleigh; featured here)
- Fashivly (Charlotte)
- Lumos Technologies (Wilmington; featured here)
- Nuream (Wilmington)
- Security Innovations Group (Washington)
- Theralinq (Raleigh; featured here)
Great Tech Places to Work
- Extreme Networks (Morrisville)
- Levitate (Raleigh)
- N-Able (Morrisville)
- MuniBilling (Greensboro)
- Pendo (Raleigh)
Individual Honors
- Public Leader of the Year: Secretary Jim Weaver, who wonderfully took the stage to “All I Do Is Win”
- Tech Difference Maker of the Year: Dr. Sharon Jones
- CISO of the Year: Bernice Bond
- Tech Woman of the Year: Lopamudra Mahapatra
- CIO of the Year (Public Sector): Jonathan Feldman
- CIO of the Year (Private Sector): Nick Otto
- Tech CEO of the Year: Chris Babcock, Apiture
- Beacon Award: Dr. Randy Woodson
Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners at this year’s NC Tech Awards!
Here are some more photos from the event:
