Charlotte is increasingly becoming known as a hub for innovation and disruption in the tech space. That makes it the perfect time for the return of the Blue Diamond Awards — a program dedicated to recognizing top technology talent and companies in the region.
The annual awards, newly presented by Charlotte nonprofit Apparo, looks to celebrate area companies in a variety of verticals that use tech to innovate their business processes. It was last held in 2020 by nonprofit The Charlotte Area Technology Collaborative, which has hosted the event for several years. After CATC ceased their operations in 2020, it transferred the program to Apparo.
"This occurred during the height of the pandemic, so we took some time to consider how to relaunch the awards and were ready this year," a spokesperson for Apparo told CBJ.
The Blue Diamond Awards, previously a one-time ceremony, will run differently this year with a yearlong series of events. It will present seven awards at six events beginning in November 2023.
The types of awards include TechExec Community Impact, Cool Innovation, Business Impact for small to medium-sized companies, Business Impact for Analytics, AI and Big Data, Community Outreach, Business Impact Corporation and IT Entrepreneur.
Applications closed Sept. 8 for the first two awards listed. Nominations for the next three categories are open through Nov. 9, and through May 6 for the final two programs. Organizations of any size, structure or tech industry are eligible to apply. Apparo said an individual or organization can only apply for one award each application period. Applicants must also have a Charlotte-area office.
The panel of judges will feature leaders from Ally Financial (NYSE: ALLY), Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON), Lowe's (NYSE: LOW), RevTech Labs, TIAA, Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) and more.
Apparo's mission is to amplify nonprofit impact by connecting them with technology expertise and resources. The organization creates corporate-nonprofit partnerships through impact funding, volunteer opportunities and tech networking events.
Starting Sept. 27, the company will host is CXO Tech Insights forum in a series of five events.
