Returning for its third year, the Sacramento Region Innovation Awards will be opening up for nominations beginning this Friday, June 1 and lasting through July 20. The awards recognize the area’s vibrant innovation community — from startups to established companies — and their breakthrough creations.

While self-nominations by innovators (companies, entities, individuals) are preferred, third-party nominations are also welcome. Eligible entries will be judged on novelty, market need, economic impact and disruption and will undergo a strict evaluation process by peers and leaders from the Capital Region’s business, civic and academic communities.

Entries must be submitted via the ONLINE ENTRY FORM (opens June 1), hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal, and must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • The innovation must be created or a primary portion of the work on the innovation must have been performed by a Sacramento-region entity. Sacramento-region is defined as Butte, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.
  • The innovation must have been recently developed. Because many innovations do not have a clear-cut beginning or end in its evolution, the organizers have chosen not to set a definitive timeframe on the entry’s creation.
  • Innovations from academic entities must be in/near the commercialization stage.
  • Innovation must fit appropriately into one of the eight entry categories below.
  • Submissions must include company/entity logo and a photo of the innovation or innovating team. Supplemental materials are encouraged and welcomed, such as marketing brochures, news articles, videos, diagrams, and client testimonials.

1) Advanced Manufacturing

2) Food and Agribusiness

3) Government and Civic

4) Hardware and Electronics

5) Medical and Health – MedTech

6) Medical and Health – BioPharma

7) Software

8) Sustainability

Additional eligibility requirements are described on the program website at  www.sacramentoinnovationawards.com/submissions.

In celebrating regional innovation, the awards aim to strengthen the Sacramento story, build the local economy, and stimulate the creative minds fueling our innovation ecosystem. Founded in 2016 by business law firm Stoel Rives LLP, the program is made possible with support from Moss Adams LLP, the Sacramento Business Journal, Five Star Bank, and the Greater Sacramento Economic Council — not to mention dozens of community partners the esteemed Selection Committee. The program is one of many corporate, civic and grassroots cohorts working to make Sacramento a recognized hub of innovation within the Northern California mega-region. Join the effort  — nominate or apply before July 20!