Winners chosen for distinction in Innovation, Corporate excellence and Entrepreneurship
COLUMBIA, Md. (May 15, 2014) – The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) today hosted the organization’s fourth annual ICE Awards. Held at the Sheraton Columbia Town Center in Columbia, Md., the awards program recognized outstanding businesses and individuals from TEDCO’s diverse portfolio of more than 300 seed and early-stage companies. Winners were selected from nine finalists in the areas of Innovation, Corporate excellence and Entrepreneurship. More than 200 representatives from TEDCO’s portfolio companies and partnering organizations attended the event.
In addition to the ICE Awards, TEDCO presented the second annual Vanguard Award to Dr. Eugene M. DeLoatch, dean of the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering at Morgan State University, for his integral support of TEDCO and dedication to moving the organization forward. Each year this award is given to an individual who has supported the mission of TEDCO, and without whom the organization wouldn’t be the state’s leader in innovation, funding and networking for entrepreneurs and start-ups that it is today.
“TEDCO is once again honored to recognize the outstanding achievements of the companies and individuals that are strengthening Maryland’s economy through their success and leadership,” said Rob Rosenbaum, president and executive director of TEDCO. “The ICE Awards give us an annual opportunity to highlight the accomplishments of our State’s thriving entrepreneurs, as well as those who have helped TEDCO become the go-to source for start-up funding and support.”
“Congratulations go out to each of the awardees celebrated today, who have worked tirelessly and become stellar examples of Maryland’s start-up community,” said Jack Lewin, chairman of TEDCO’s board of directors. “It is companies and individuals such as these that push our innovation economy forward and enable TEDCO to continue to provide entrepreneurial support to technology-based companies across the State.”
The winners are:
Innovation: Woofound – Selected for creating a new technology that greatly improves or changes current products or processes and gained follow-on funding. Woofound is the creator of Compass, an application that uses a “visual personality assessment” to connect students and job seekers to career paths, and is used in more than 40 colleges, universities and workforce development centers across the United States. The company is based in Baltimore, Md.
Corporate Excellence: CSA Medical – Recognized for its growth in the number of employees, revenue and investments, as well as community involvement and industry recognition. Specializing in spray cryotherapy technologies, CSA Medical developed truFreeze®, which freezes and removes bodily tissues in general surgery with or without an endoscope. The company’s headquarters is located in Lutherville, Md.
Entrepreneur: Casey Eitner, Noble Life Sciences – Selected for outstanding leadership by a company founder. Mr. Eitner is a seasoned entrepreneur who until 2012 was the CEO of Expression Pathology (now known as Oncoplex Diagnostics), a pioneering cancer diagnostic company. Mr. Eitner led the company in raising $11 million in equity and grants, securing key patents and making collaborations with top pharmaceutical and research partners. Mr. Eitner is currently a senior vice president at Noble Life Sciences.
The event also featured demonstrations by TEDCO portfolio companies of their technologies and prototypes, networking opportunities, the awards presentation and remarks by representatives from 2013 ICE Award-winning companies.