Early-Bird Ticket Prices Available Until April 15

April 8, 2016 [Charlottesville, VA] The Charlottesville Business Innovation Council has announced the finalists for its 2016 awards. Building on last year’s expanded line-up of award categories, this year’s finalists represent some of the most inspiring technology-centric business leaders, teachers, student entrepreneurs and organizations in the region. Awards will be presented at the annual gala to be held on Thursday, May 26 at the Boar’s Head Inn.

“This annual gathering seeks to inspire and inform as well as to further the creation of a community where we celebrate each other’s accomplishments and recognize individual contributions to our innovation-based ecosystem, ” said Tracey Greene, co-chair of the CBIC Awards Gala. ” The gala also encourages attendees to develop relationships that create a fertile future for growth and expansion.”

Tickets for the gala, including an expanded cocktail reception and celebratory champagne ceremony, may be purchased before April 15 to receive early-bird ticket rates. After April 15, on-time ticket rates will apply through May 7 when the fees then increase to late rates. Ticket information is available at http://cvilleinnovation.org/awards.

Award finalists include:
 Business of the Year
o Apex Clean Energy www.apexcleanenergy.com
o Diffusion Pharmaceuticals www.diffusionpharma.com
o ExploreLearning www.explorelearning.com
o S&P Global Market Intelligence www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence
 Educator of the Year
o Betsy Agee, Walton Middle School
o Eric Bredder, Monticello High School
o Adam Mulcahy, Western Albemarle High School
 Entrepreneur of the Year
o Andy Krouse, Cavion Pharmaceuticals www.cavionpharma.com
o Mark Logan, Tear Solutions http://www.tearsolutions.com/Home.html
o Brian Wamhoff, HemoShear Therapeutics www.hemoshear.com
 Innovator of the Year
o ArcheMedX www.archemedx.com
o Kira Kira 3D Printing Academy www.kirakira.com
o Tinkersmith www.tinkersmiths.com
 Social Good
o Charlottesville Open Bio Labs www.openbiolabs.org
o Grow Oyster Reefs www.growoysterreefs.com
o Totem www.totemfgf.com
 Startup of the Year
o BrightSpec www.brightspec.com
o Foodio www.getfoodio.com
o Phosimmune www.phosimmune.com
 Student Entrepreneur / Student Startup Venture of the Year
o AgroSpheres
o Caribe Juice www.caribejuice.com
o Kevin Eisentfrats of Contraline www.contraline.com
 Top Job Creator of the Year
o Center for Open Science www.cos.io
o PRA Health Sciences www.prahs.com
o WillowTree Apps www.willowtreeapps.com