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About the Event
For the 30th year - rvatech/ is celebrating the many breakthroughs, advancements, and outstanding technologists that are a part of the Richmond technology ecosystem.
Join the rvatech/ Community at Main Street Station on September 25th for a night celebrating and honoring our local organizations and individuals that are actively helping to advance our region's technology-based economy!
Replay the 2023 Award Production VideoEvent Details -
September 25, 2024/ 5-9 PM
Doors Open – 5PM
Registration & cocktail hour – 5-6PM
Dinner & awards – 6-8PM
After Party – 8-9PM
Attire
Colorful Couture
This black-tie event promises an evening of elegance and vibrant celebration. In keeping with our theme, A Night of Tech In Color, we encourage you to embrace bright, bold, and colorful attire. Think of striking hues and vivid patterns that reflect the dynamic world of technology and innovation. Just as Technicolor revolutionized television by bringing vivid colors to the screen, “Tech in Color” represents the innovation and revolution of technology here in Richmond, Virginia.
Parking
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Tables & Tickets
2024 Award Categories
Innovation in Artificial Intelligence + Machine Learning
Sponsored by Ippon
2023 Winner:
• Dominion Energy
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a project that showcases breakthrough innovation and creativity in the practice and application of data science.
Innovation in Cloud Computing
Sponsored by Synergy Technical
2023 Winner:
• Operation Smile
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a cloud computing project that showcases breakthrough innovation and creativity in the practice and application of cloud computing.
Cyber Innovator
Sponsored by Assura
2023 Winner:
• Dragnet
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a cyber security professional that showcases breakthrough innovation and creativity in the practice and application of cyber security.
Innovation in Creativity
Sponsored by Google
2023 Winner:
• New Award!
Learn About the Award
This achievement is awarded to a company, team, or person that shows exemplary creativity in their technology practice through one or more of the following ways:
• Creating a new technology, application or product -Applying an existing technology in new, creative, or non-traditional ways
• Establishing a new team or initiative to specifically approach problems in new and creative ways (e.g. special ops)
• Designing a unique brand, marketing, or promotional initiative for a technology application or product
• Unique leadership achievements, approaches or systems in a c-suite or management role
• Partnership among multiple companies/organizations to tackle a problem in a creative and multidisciplinary way
• Doing something different, unexpected, or disruptive in technology or the technology ecosystem
Criteria:
• Degree of uniqueness and differentiation in the technology, product, approach, or system
• Degree of disruption, impact and/or success of the technology, product, approach, or system
• Degree that submission amplifies Richmond’s brand platform as Tech’s Most Creative City
Outstanding Collaboration
Sponsored by Luck Companies
2023 Winner:
• Shockoe & Altria
Learn About the Award
Awarded to two or more companies (in a non-consultative arrangement) that have exemplified the collaborative spirit necessary to achieve breakthrough innovations in technology.
Team Excellence
Sponsorship Available
2023 Winner:
• VCU Health IT
Learn About the Award
Awarded to an entire team/division that exceeded expectations through innovation, collaboration, or pure technical excellence. Nominees could be the result of product development, process innovation, exceptional metrics/results, or excellence in team culture.
Community Impact
Sponsored by MAXX Potential
2023 Winner:
• sayCare
Learn About the Award
Awarded to an individual or team from a nonprofit or civic organization in central Virginia that displays the most innovative use(s) of technology to deliver services, advance their mission, or impact our community. Criteria This individual/group has used technology in an innovative and creative way to deliver services, advance their mission, transform their industry, or impact the community. Nominee must showcase a demonstrable impact on their community and the technology ecosystem in Richmond through their work
Next Gen
Sponsored by Capital One
2023 Winner:
• Neel Gandhi, Tucker High School
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a K-12 student who has demonstrated a meaningful impact on the technology ecosystem in Richmond.
Criteria:
• Must matriculate in grades K-12 specifically within Richmond or surrounding counties at the time of nomination
• Awarded for a demonstrable impact, product, or program that advances the technology ecosystem within Richmond
• Award winner will be selected based on excellence within an “above and beyond” initiative that took place outside of a class assignment
• Must showcase a high degree of innovation or uniqueness, offering a compelling offering that is not currently available in the greater Richmond marketplace
ELITE (Emerging Leader in Tech)
Sponsorship Available
2023 Winner:
• New Award!
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a technologist (under 40) who has demonstrated a meaningful impact on the technology ecosystem in Richmond. Criteria Awarded for a demonstrable impact, product, or program that advances the technology ecosystem within Richmond Award winner will be selected based on excellence within an “above and beyond” initiative that took place beyond the standard expectations of the individual’s professional role
StartUp of the Year
In partnership with StartUp Virginia
Sponsored by CDW
2023 Winner:
• No Limbits
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a startup technology or product company that has demonstrated an innovative solution that is transforming their industry and creating broad geographic and economic impact. Criteria: Nominee should demonstrate a unique or innovative offering that provides real value to a current need or creates a new need in the marketplace Nominee should demonstrate recognizable success through market impact and/or revenue growth Nominee should have achieved success through the specific and innovative use of technology and/or manufacturing
Founder Impact of the Year
Sponsored by CoStar Group
2023 Winner:
• New Award!
In partnership with StartUp Virginia
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a founder of a startup technology or product company who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and leadership through company innovation and community impact.
Criteria:
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Nominee should demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial spirit, showing resilience, determination, and a vision to bring significant change or advancement within their industry.
• Community Impact: Nominee should have made a positive impact on their community through their startup, whether through job creation, community engagement initiatives, or philanthropic efforts.
• Personal Growth and Development: Nominee should show personal growth and development as a leader, continuously learning and evolving to meet the demands of leading a growing startup.
• Recognition and Awards: Any recognition or awards received by the nominee for their leadership, innovation, or community impact will be considered as part of their candidacy for this award.
Technology Innovator, Private Sector (Small Capital)
Sponsored by Summit Human Capital
2023 Winner:
• Naborforce
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a company whose creative use of existing or development of new technology enhances processes, methodologies and/or services for their own or others' benefit.
Criteria:
• Awarded for excellence and innovation on a project, process, or business transformation
• Must demonstrate how discovery, collaboration, iteration, prototyping, etc. contributed to the conception and development of the innovation
• Must demonstrate how the innovation satisfies an existing need or creates a new need that is not currently available in the market.
• Must showcase distinct, game-changing advantages over any alternatives.
• The innovation must showcase compelling ways in which it was communicated, how users were engaged, and how it was delivered to the marketplace.
• The value proposition must be clearly achieved, fulfilled and validated in the marketplace.
• The project should have a long-term impact and be an inspiration for future innovation and innovators
Technology Innovator, Private Sector (Large Capital)
Sponsored by CGI
2023 Winner:
• CoStar
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a company whose creative use of existing or development of new technology enhances processes, methodologies and/or services for their own or others' benefit.
Criteria:
• Awarded for excellence and innovation on a project, process, or business transformation
• Must demonstrate how discovery, collaboration, iteration, prototyping, etc. contributed to the conception and development of the innovation
• Must demonstrate how the innovation satisfies an existing need or creates a new need that is not currently available in the market.
• Must showcase distinct, game-changing advantages over any alternatives.
• The innovation must showcase compelling ways in which it was communicated, how users were engaged, and how it was delivered to the marketplace.
• The value proposition must be clearly achieved, fulfilled and validated in the marketplace.
• The project should have a long-term impact and be an inspiration for future innovation and innovators
Technology Innovator, Public Sector
Sponsored by CarMax
2023 Winner:
• UNOS
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a company whose creative use of existing or development of new technology enhances processes, methodologies and/or services for their own or others' benefit.
Criteria:
• Awarded for excellence and innovation on a project, process, or business transformation
• Must demonstrate how discovery, collaboration, iteration, prototyping, etc. contributed to the conception and development of the innovation
• Must demonstrate how the innovation satisfies an existing need or creates a new need that is not currently available in the market.
• Must showcase distinct, game-changing advantages over any alternatives.
• The innovation must showcase compelling ways in which it was communicated, how users were engaged, and how it was delivered to the marketplace.
• The value proposition must be clearly achieved, fulfilled and validated in the marketplace.
• The project should have a long-term impact and be an inspiration for future innovation and innovators
Technology Builder
Sponsored by ePlus
2023 Winner:
• CapTech
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a local technology company delivering technology solutions and/or services to external clients that build capacity and increase operational efficiency.
Criteria:
• Intended for the vendor and consultant community that specialize in providing technology solutions for client companies
• Must showcase a strategic and innovative solution that changes business process or procedure
• Must provide tangible financial or business value and increase operational efficiency for a client
Legislator of the Year
Sponsored by Meta
2023 Winners:
• Delegate Carrie Coyner & Senator Jeremy McPike
Learn About the Award
Awarded to a legislator(s) who have made a positive impact on the technology sector in the previous year.
Tech Executive of the Year
Sponsored by Vaco
2023 Winner:
• Melanie Frank, Capital One
Learn About the Award
Awarded to an individual whose leadership resulted in creating competitive advantage, optimize business processes, enable growth or improve relationships with customers.
Criteria:
• An executive who has primary IT leadership responsibility for an entire company, business line, or geography.
• In the past year, has demonstrated leadership to successfully manage and champion technology initiatives. Examples include:
• Led technology efforts on a day-to-day basis, while receiving positive results from internal employee surveys.
• Improved the internal IT organization (e.g., restructured, new technology, use of automation, use of analytics, improved risk management, improved reporting)
• Led technology efforts related to a major company change (e.g., taken a company public/private, led merger/acquisition activities, introduced a new product into the marketplace)
• Significantly boosted a company’s IT presence in a geography
People's Choice Award
Sponsored by InterVision
2023 Winner:
• Daybreak IT Solutions
Learn About the Award
Awarded to the popular vote through social media leading up to the event.
Chair's Award
Sponsored by Altria
2023 Winner:
• Deborah Cassidy, Fortium Partners
Learn About the Award
Awarded to an individual or organization that has made a significant impact on the growth of technology in this region, and/or the advancement of Greater Richmond as a center for technology innovation.