Awards may tell if bad economy again gives innovation a real lift
Lousy economies more often than not serve as a cradle of innovation. Microsoft, Oracle, Apple and Google are all examples of game-changing companies that were either founded or came of age under tough market conditions. For tomorrow's class of industry pioneers, now is the time to make hay.
"People who innovate, especially now, end up with a significant leapfrog advantage," explains Tom Kuczmarski, co-chairman of the Chicago Innovation Awards. "Those who understand the value of innovation are resilient to economic upturns and downturns."
A nationally recognized author and industry consultant, Kuczmarski in 2002 founded the Chicago Innovation Awards with former Sun-Times business editor Dan Miller. The goal of the program is to showcase how Chicago area organizations -- from startups to nonprofits to Boeing -- best bring new ideas to the marketplace.
Nearly 250 entities were nominated for the 2009 awards, which will be announced Oct. 20 at the Goodman Theatre. Not surprisingly, the majority of companies that advanced to the existing field of 75 are Internet- and technology-focused. Gogo Inflight Internet Service, CrowdSpring and SurePayroll are among the companies that made the cut.
While a panel of business and technology leaders will select this year's 10 award winners, a new "People's Choice Award" will honor an 11th organization that attracts the most votes online.
"It will have a greater proclivity towards high sex appeal," said Kuczmarski, who cited news aggregator EveryBlock (recently acquired by MSNBC) as the type of company that could get more love from the general public. "Something that provides cost savings may not be as appealing for the People's Choice Awards, but for the judges it is."
To learn more about the Chicago Innovation Awards and perhaps cast a vote, visit www.chicagoinnovation awards.com.
Among the 75 organizations still in the running for a Chicago Innovation Award is i.c. stars. Founded more than a decade ago, i.c. stars is committed to educating young adults from Chicago's inner city in the ways of computer development and design.
This Friday, i.c. stars will hold its iOpener Conference 2009 at Carnivale in the Fulton Market District. The program will focus on corporate culture and the role diversity has on IT decision-making. City of Chicago CIO Hardik Bhatt and Bank of America's principal of global technology and operations, Steve Elliott, are scheduled to speak. More information about the program can be found at www.iopener2009.com.
Brad Spirrison is a Chicago free-lance writer.