When it comes to tech and innovation, Greater Philadelphia has been on a roll. That is reflected in the number of deals and dollars that flowed into the region last year as well as the growing presence as a hub for cell and gene therapies.
In 2021, for instance, area startups raked in $8.1 billion in venture capital funding, shattering the previous record of $2.7 billion set the year prior.
While dollars are certainly an indicator of success, so is ingenuity and headcount growth. We considered such factors along with the entirety of the innovation ecosystem when selecting the PHL Inno Fire Awards honorees. This class marks the inaugural recipients in the region.
The Fire Awards, Inno’s premiere awards program, showcase the businesses, institutions and individuals driving the region’s innovation scene forward.
In order to determine the honorees, PHL Inno sought nominations from the public as well as suggestions from our editorial team. Collectively, our editorial board determined this year’s 20 honorees, which range from growth-stage startups to unicorn tech pillars. Also in the mix are accelerators, venture capitalists and higher education institutions.
Each of these honorees will be grouped into categories, which will be revealed in a special edition of the Philadelphia Business Journal on Aug. 12.
Below, see all of this year’s honorees listed in alphabetical order.
- Agile Brains Consulting – Philadelphia
- Aperture Venture Capital – Philadelphia
- AscellaHealth – Berwyn
- dbt Labs – Philadelphia
- Drexel University – Philadelphia
- EverWash – Philadelphia
- Harmony Biosciences – Plymouth Meeting
- Houwzer – Philadelphia
- Imvax – Philadelphia
- Investor Cash Management – Wilmington, Delaware
- Layer 8 Security – Malvern
- LifeBrand – West Chester
- LucasPye Bio – Philadelphia
- Phenom – Ambler
- Proscia – Philadelphia
- QuotaPath – Philadelphia and Austin, Texas
- Sixers Innovation Lab – Philadelphia
- Strella Biotechnology – Philadelphia
- Swarthmore College – Swarthmore
- University City Science Center – Philadelphia
Know an individual 25 years of age or younger we should recognize? Nominate them for this year’s Inno Under 25.
