Enriching Minnesota’s Future Through The Biosciences
BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Announced as Finalists for Ninth Annual Tekne Awards
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (Sept. 17, 2008) — The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota (BBAM) and the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) were named finalists in the Innovative Collaboration Of The Year Award category for the 2008 Tekne Awards, which will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Oct. 30, 2008. The Tekne Awards recognize Minnesota’s outstanding technology achievements and leaders.
The Innovative Collaboration of the Year Award honors a business/community/higher-ed/K-12 collaboration or partnership that has demonstrated leadership, dedication and excellence in delivering an innovation to Minnesota’s technology economy and/or the Minnesota community in general.
“It is an exciting honor to be named as a finalist for the Innovative Collaboration of the Year Award with the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota,” said Tim Penny, SMIF President/CEO “Both organizations worked very hard in creating the high level inventory of the existing biobusiness assets across the state.” This inventory will elevate the overall understanding and awareness of Minnesota’s biobusiness capabilities. The data from this process is available to all participants via an interactive map called BIOMAP.
Presented by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) in partnership with LifeScience Alley and Minnesota Technology, Inc., the Tekne Awards annually recognize Minnesota’s best and brightest technology users and developers in innovation, development, education, commercialization and management of technology in Minnesota. A list of finalists is available online at www.tekneawards.org.
“The Tekne awards have served as a sign of Minnesota’s technological prominence for nearly a decade, and the accomplishments of this year’s group of finalists continue that tradition,” said Kate Rubin, president of MHTA. “Both the quantity and quality of entries continue to grow and technology innovation, as represented by these finalists, is strong.”
On Oct. 30, one recipient from a pool of three finalists will be named in 16 categories at the Awards ceremony. Award categories recognize leaders and technology businesses that are small and growing (with annual revenues under $50 million) and established (with annual revenues of $50 million or more).
This year’s Tekne Awards ceremony will be emceed by Kerri Miller, host of “Midmorning” and “Talking Volumes,” Minnesota Public Radio.
About The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota
The BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota is an industry-led, action-based 501©(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of bioscience-related industries to create jobs for the citizens of Minnesota. The charter of the BioBusiness Alliance is to bring together all related areas of the biosciences in a coordinated effort to ensure the long-term health and success of Minnesota’s bioscience industry.
About Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation:
SMIF, a donor-supported foundation, invests in the region’s future growth through grants, loans, technical expertise and partnerships that foster community assets via workforce readiness and entrepreneurial activity – especially in areas of bio-medical, bio-agriculture and alternative energy. The Foundation has provided over $38 million in grants and loans within the region during the past 21 years, and has leveraged well over $100 million to support local business and community development. SMIF was established by The McKnight Foundation in 1986 to foster growth and vitality in greater Minnesota. To learn more about our work and mission call (507) 455-3215 or visit www.smifoundation.org.
About Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)
The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) accelerates the growth, sustainability and global competitiveness of Minnesota’s technology-based economy through public policy advocacy, member collaboration and education, and community outreach. MHTA is the only membership organization that represents Minnesota’s entire technology-based economy. MHTA members include organizations of every size − involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Minnesota. MHTA works in partnership with AeA, which represents Minnesota’s technology organizations nationally. Find out more online at www.mhta.org.
Contact:
Melissa Kjolsing
952.746.3844
mkjolsing@biobusinessalliance.org
Posted on 09/17/2008
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