Press ReleasesPress Release: Oregon Entrepreneurs Network Announces Finalists for the 2019 OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards
Portland, Ore., — The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) is pleased to announce 27 finalists across seven categories for the 2019 OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards.
This year marks the 26th anniversary of the OEN Tom Holce Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner, OEN’s signature event that honors the skill and courage that it takes for entrepreneurs to create a business out of an idea. The event is intended to not only celebrate entrepreneurs but to highlight their importance to the region’s economy.
The winner from each category will be announced on October 29, 2019, during the awards dinner at the Oregon Convention Center. In addition to the finalists below, OEN will honor a game-changing social enterprise for a Game Changer Award and a young, up-and-coming entrepreneur for the Battle of the Schools Award.
Game Changer Award
The OEN Game Changer Award honors both nonprofit and for-profit enterprises that offer a novel solution to a social problem. This social enterprise has a commitment to Impact that is central to the mission of the business, a viable business model, and a compelling answer to the question: “Why is your solution better than existing solutions?”
The Game Changer Award finalists are:
- GridWorks – Medical Transportation
- MaskIT – Consumer Goods
- USAHello – E-learning
- Young Entrepreneurs Business Week (YEBW) – Education Management
Entrepreneurial Achievement Award
Our Entrepreneurial Achievement Award recognizes an entrepreneur or founding team with a record of outstanding achievement within the past 18 months. OEN looks for individual entrepreneurs or teams that demonstrate tenacity, passion, and grit; recognize—and capitalize on—opportunity; positively impact the communities in which they operate; and, actively support our entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The Entrepreneurial Achievement finalists are:
- Allie Magyar, Hubb, Inc. – Computer Software
- Ana Chaud, Garden Bar LLC – Restaurants
- Jason Bolt, Revant Optics – Eyewear
- Jessi Duley, BurnCycle – Health, Wellness & Fitness
- Lisa Sedlar, Green Zebra Grocery LLC – Retail
Battle of the Schools Award
We invite schools throughout the state to nominate one entrepreneur they work with—either a recent grad, current student, or someone affiliated with an accelerator or other entrepreneurial programs. This award honors a nominee embodying the following distinguishing qualities: enthusiasm, willingness to work hard toward a goal, fearlessness when it comes to taking big risks, and a commitment to changing the world for the better.
The Battle of the Schools finalists are:
- Blake Turner, Portland State University
- Halli Lane Briscoe, Oregon State University
- Julia Kimoto, University of Portland
- Maika Enhada, Pacific University
Company Awards
OEN Company Awards recognize businesses in the bootstrap, early, development, and growth stages that address compelling market problems; deliver consistent growth; have scalable business models; know their niche and clearly differentiate from their competitors; and have founders and/or teams who demonstrate tenacity, passion, and vision.
The finalists are as follows:
Bootstrap Stage Company Award
“Oregon’s Hottest Garage Venture.” Recognizes a for-profit startup that has achieved significant milestones over the last 18 months without ever raising equity or debt capital. The company may have small funding sources through personal resources, friends and family or receivables. Revenue $0 – .5 million.
- Pigeon – Technology
- STAGRack – Automotive Roof Racks
- We Are Wild – Skincare
Early Stage Company Award
“Oregon’s Most Promising Startup.” Recognizes a for-profit startup that has achieved significant milestones over the past 18 months and may have raised angel, venture or grant funding. Revenue $0 – 1 million.
- MaskIT– Consumer Goods
- Onboard Dynamics, Inc. – Renewables & Environment
- onDiem – Staffing
- Rupie Network – Computer Games
Development Stage Company Award
“Oregon’s Next Business Home Run.” Recognizes for-profit companies who are improving their product or service and are adding staff to support their growth. Projected revenue for the current year of 1 million to 8 million.
Growth Stage Company Award
“Oregon’s Next Household Name.” Recognizes for-profit companies who have a fully marketable product or service and have acquired a critical mass of customers. Companies have growing revenues of at least 8 million.
- CrowdStreet – Real Estate
- Logical Position – Marketing & Advertising
- RFPIO – Computer Software
- SheerID – Internet
About Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, membership-driven organization with a 28-year track record, OEN connects entrepreneurs to a network of peers and mentors, startup funding opportunities, and hands-on training. OEN believes that a thriving network of entrepreneurs makes Oregon stronger.
