The 17th annual Chicago Innovation Awards took place Monday night, and more than two dozen local companies and organizations across Chicagoland were recognized for their innovative spirit.
After reviewing more than 500 nominations, 100 finalists were announced in September and a panel of judges picked this year's winners. Notable honorees this year include Chicago startups like Cameo, UPshow, Codeverse and Jiobit.
"The businesses and organizations we honor embody a commitment to fresh thinking, results, inclusivity, and economic growth," Chicago Innovation Awards founder Tom Kuczmarski said in a statement. "Chicago continues to recruit and develop talent that unleashes high-impact innovation."
Since launching in 2002, the Chicago Innovation Awards say that 98 percent of their award winners are still active, with 42 exits totaling more than $85 billion.
Here are this year's winners:
Chicago Innovation Award Winners (Main Category) Abbott Illinois Holocaust Museum Farmer’s Fridge Advanced Valve Technologies Molex Sittercity UPshow Cameo Ensono M.O. Sterling
Up-and-Comer Awards Codeverse ExerciseBuddy Parker Dewey Esquify Jiobit Truss Unanimous AI Catalytic PanaceaNano GuardianVets
Chicago Neighborhood Awards Lakeview Pantry Above & Beyond Aspire Chicago
Social Innovator Award BallotReady
Collaboration Award Adler Planetarium
Spirit of Innovation Award Chicago Children's Choir
People’s Choice Award The Bra Lab
