INNOVATOR
AWARDS
Celebrating the drive, passion, and spirit of innovators in our community while inspiring those who are just starting their journey.
ABOUT THE
AWARDS.
Opportunity Lives Here.
The Innovator Awards Luncheon celebrates the drive, passion, and spirit of innovators in our community while inspiring those who are just starting their journey.
When talking about game changers in technology or business, people often look at Seattle entrepreneurs and companies for inspiration. But world-class innovation and development is happening right here in NCW. It is important for us to shine a light on those in our community – our neighbors, family, and friends – who are excelling in their industries, championing growth for our community, and paving the path for the next generation.
SAVE THE DATE!
2025 Innovator Awards
Tuesday, November 4th
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Wenatchee Convention Center
Nominations for the 24th Annual Innovator Awards are open! This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the incredible champions driving progress in North Central Washington. Every year, we celebrate the visionaries, leaders, and change makers who are making a real impact. Submit your nominations today and help us honor the innovators shaping our future.​
Over 320 passionate community members packed the Wenatchee Convention Center for the sold-out 23rd Annual Innovator Awards Luncheon. The energy in the room was electric as we came together to celebrate the visionary leaders and groundbreaking innovators shaping the future of North Central Washington. It was a day filled with inspiration, pride, and the undeniable power of technology-driven progress!
The event featured an exciting announcement about NCW Tech Alliance's new 2025 initiative, INVEST NCW, designed to boost entrepreneurship and innovation across the region. Board President Walter Thorn expressed his enthusiasm for this transformational opportunity for regional development.
The awards program that followed was packed with unforgettable moments. The AEM Energy Champions from Wenatchee High School moved the audience with heartfelt acceptance speeches, sharing how community support shaped their journey. The room fell silent, then erupted in applause, as the students expressed gratitude to their mentors, teachers, and parents, with pride radiating from the educators in attendance.
Dr. Gautam Nayak, co-founder of Coltrain and Entrepreneur of the Year, delivered a powerful speech advocating for rural healthcare innovation. “If you live in rural America, you have a 43% higher chance of dying than your urban counterpart,” Dr. Nayak said. “The best clinicians are those who advocate for you, and that is what Coltrain is trying to embody.” His compelling message earned a standing ovation.
STEM Champion of the Year
Newcomer In Technology
2024 Winner: FieldClock (East Wenatchee)​ Co-founders Joshua Farray and Jeff Moser
Successful companies are those that aren’t afraid of change and face technology innovation head on. A Newcomer In Technology nominee is an organization, company, or department that has embraced technology to transform the work environment. These nominees should be using or creating technology in ways that advance production, improve efficiency, or differentiate their product or service for a competitive advantage.​​
2024 Winner: Carrie Nordberg, Samaritan Healthcare
This award aims to recognize educators and community members who are pursuing innovative approaches to learning through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) experiences. The winner will demonstrate passion for STEM education, and will be seen by their peers and community as advocates for promoting STEM pathways for students.​
Entrepreneur of the Year
2024 Winner: Dr. Gautam Nayak, Coltrain (Wenatchee)
Entrepreneurs are people with vision and the ability to see a need and fill it. They have the courage to make change and the stamina to await results. This individual will have displayed exceptional vision, leadership and innovation in building a new company, developing a new product or service, or have creatively developed a way to deliver an existing product or service to the marketplace.​
STEM College Innovator of the Year
2024 Winner: Nathan Holterhoff, University of Washington (Wenatchee)​
Students will be recognized for innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) projects that address real world problems. Student-led projects are preferred but teacher-led initiatives will be considered if the student project is innovative and unique. The student(s) must demonstrate critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and problem solving.
Any construction, data logging and summarizing must have been completed by the student(s). The winner will demonstrate potential for success through leadership and learning.​​
(K-12) Future Technology Leader of the Year
2024 Winner: AEM Energy Champions, Wenatchee High School (Wenatchee) Back L-R: Gael Nunez Sanchez, Nathan Vargas, and Aaden Juarez. Front L-R Isabella Garcia, Marisol Nava Araujo, Stephanie Salgado Ontiveros, Ximena Guerra Carillo and Sloane Eppich Talbot.
K-12 students will be recognized for innovative projects in technology. The project does not have to be exclusive to technology – but technology should play a dominant role. Student-led projects are preferred but teacher-led initiatives will be considered if the technology project is innovative, unique, and the student(s) participated in a hands-on, experiential manner. The winner will demonstrate potential for success through leadership, learning, and technology skills.​