Blaze of glory: Send in your nominations for NTX Inno's 2021 Fire Awards

It’s been said that startups are one of the biggest drivers of job creation and economic growth. And in covering the North Texas ecosystem daily, we have a unique view of the startups that are gaining traction, making big moves and, in turn, building up the community around them.

But now, we’d like to hear from you.

Nominations for NTX Inno’s 2021 Fire Awards are now open. We’re looking to shine a spotlight on the local startups and organizations supporting them that are making the biggest impact on the scene. Whether it’s because of the people that make up the team, the funding they’re bringing in, cool new products they’re launching, or because of the innovative approach to they are taking to problem solving, let us know who you think should be honored by sending in a nomination here. 

Nominations are open until the end of the month. 

This year, we’ll have 10 categories (which you can check out below). With our editorial team, as well as a group of community leaders active in the ecosystem, we’ll be narrowing down the nominations to five in each category. After the honorees are unveiled, we’ll whittle that down to the one winner in each. In addition to the recognition, winning organization’s will receive a Fire Blazer (seriously, they’re colored like a flame).

Last year, Blazer-winning startups included ShearShare (lifestyle category), Kanarys (social impact category) and Zirtue (Inno picks category), all of which landed $300,000 from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund, with the latter two going on to win $500,000 from Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Tour. It also included companies like Rosy, RoboKind and SurviVR, all companies whose tech has been used over the past year to make positive impacts in people’s lives.

In addition, we highlighted UT Dallas’ Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which has helped launch a number of startups and is planning to be an anchor of the city of Richardson’s Innovation Quarter, for its ecosystem support.

Check out this year’s categories below and keep sending those nominations in.