Join us for the Annual CelebrateGNV Cox Innovation Ecosystem Award. Gainesville has many local entrepreneurs and innovators to celebrate, and CelebrateGNV is precisely that: an event honoring local startup founders, inventors, and leaders.
Gainesville has many local entrepreneurs and innovators to celebrate, and CelebrateGNV is precisely that: an event honoring local startup founders, inventors, and leaders. On February 8, 2024, 6–9 p.m. at the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, the community will gather to share their achievements and see who wins the third annual CelebrateGNV Cox Innovation Ecosystem Awards.
The Greater Gainesville area has long been a pillar of innovation. Its thriving startup community has launched successful companies such as Infotech, Feathr and Myolyn. For years, the nonprofit organization startGNV has nurtured this community. Their mission is to form connections, creating an “innovation ecosystem” that makes Gainesville’s startup opportunities more sustainable.
“The key point is the community itself,” said Stacy Burrell, a startGNV board member. “It’s a network of people willing to share their expertise, resources, and learnings with other up-and-coming founders and business leaders in the community.”
In 2018, startGNV established the annual CelebrateGNV gala to recognize local entrepreneurs’ achievements and keep the ecosystem growing.
CelebrateGNV features a cocktail hour, dinner, and presentation, then concludes with the prestigious Innovation Ecosystem Awards. Sponsored by Cox Business, the honors include “Tech Employer of the Year,” “Professional Mentor of the Year,” and “Ecosystem Hidden Gem.” One lucky startup will receive the “Rising Star” award, a $5000 grant to nurture their growth.
The awards highlight and support more than companies’ economic growth. In tune with startGNV’s mission, they also recognize the strength of human capital within our community.
Even if CelebrateGNV attendees don’t take home a Cox award, they’ll be rewarded with an evening of inspirational conversations and potential collaborations. Since its debut 6 years ago, the gala has attracted many local entrepreneurs eager to meet like-minded people.
“Events like this are critical for the startup community. It is where the connections are made, where people get to know each other, where ideas are shared,” said serial entrepreneur and workforce development leader Angela Pate at a past CelebrateGNV. “You have to have collision between entrepreneurs, inventors, technologists, [and] artists.”
This makes the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention the perfect venue for CelebrateGNV. Attendees can look forward to lively conversation and celebration in this inspiring environment.
The event spotlights the many ways innovation is alive and well in Gainesville to help attract and retain entrepreneurial talent in the community.
You can purchase your CelebrateGNV tickets via Eventbrite through February 8. The event is expected to sell out as it beckons yet another year of creativity and invention in the Greater Gainesville area.
Nominees for Cox Innovation Ecosystem Awards
Individual Awards:
Cox Startup Mentor of the Year
- Jennifer Harrell of UF Innovate | Accelerate
- Dwight L. Hulse of D.L. Hulse Consulting, LLC
- Radha Sevestiver of North Florida Sewing Center
Cox Professional Mentor of the Year
- Tara Blythe of Infotech
- Mitch Glaeser of San Felasco Tech City
- Trenton Hightower of Santa Fe College
Cox Ecosystem Hidden Gem
- Steve Kaufman of SJKPR
- Steve Szabo of RTI Surgical
- Trey Womack of UF Engineering Extension and Outreach
Company Awards:
- Cordelia Biosciences
- New Generation Productions LLC
- North Florida Sewing CenterPerch
Cox Tech Employer of the Year
- Admiral
- Infotech
- Trajector
Cox Community Impact Company of the Year
- InfoTech
- Loss Prevention Research Council
- San Felasco Tech City
About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve nearly seven million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
About startGNV
startGNV, formerly known as the Gainesville Area Innovation Network (GAIN), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on a mission to grow the innovation ecosystem of Greater Gainesville. We’re dedicated to creating an atmosphere of engaging networking events, resources, and talent support for innovation companies in the Greater Gainesville area.