Advanced Manufacturer of the Year

The advanced manufacturing cluster typically encompasses industries that are largely automated and that use a high degree of process controls, such as computer-numerical controllers, robotics, advanced IT systems and other automated processes.

Category finalists include:

  • Industrial Scientific Corporation
  • Kennametal Inc.
  • RE2, Inc.
  • US Liner Company (USLCO)

Information Technology Company of the Year

Companies in this category design and/or produce computer peripheral equipment, printed circuit boards, semiconductors and related hardware. Companies also are engaged in software development, computer programming, Internet and telecommunications products or services.

Category finalists include:

  • Confluence
  • Eyeflow LLC
  • M*Modal
  • Vivisimo, Inc.

Innovator of the Year

This is a new category for 2011. These companies of all sizes are producing ground-breaking products that are redefining their respective industry sectors. The companies can be from any tech cluster/sector and can be pre-revenue or have established sales channels.

Category finalists include:

  • Allpoint Systems, LLC
  • BodyMedia
  • Bossa Nova Robotics, Inc.
  • Dynamics Inc.
  • Ex One
  • ModCloth, Inc.
  • Omnyx
  • Thorley Industries dba 4moms
  • Voci Technologies Inc.

Life Sciences Company of the Year

Companies in this category deliver products or services that include medical instruments, devices and pharmaceuticals. Companies also are engaged in health services, bioresearch, agricultural products and services and the environmental life sciences. Companies that develop software oriented toward the delivery of medical procedures or diagnoses also fall under this category.

Category finalists include:

  • CardiacAssist, Inc.
  • Cohera Medical, Inc.
  • Complexa, Inc.
  • Foundation Radiology Group
  • invivodata, inc.
  • McKesson Automation, Inc.
  • Net Health Systems, Inc.
  • Precision Therapeutics

Startup of the Year

Startup of the Year candidates are the future of southwestern Pennsylvania. Burgeoning entrepreneurial firms no more than five years old are eligible. Entrants should offer innovative products or unique services and show promise of becoming major economic forces.

Category finalists include:

  • Aquion Energy
  • Carmell Therapeutics Corporation
  • C-leveled
  • Deeplocal, Inc.
  • Evil Genius Designs
  • Intimate Bridge to Conception (IB2C)
  • Metis Secure Solutions
  • SnapRetail
  • Songwhale LLC
  • Thermal Therapeutics Systems, Inc.
  • Wombat Security Technologies

Tech Titan of the Year

This category is designed for companies generating over $50 million in revenue. These businesses span the fields of manufacturing, life sciences, green technology and information technology but are recognized in their own category as regional leaders in revenue generation.

Category finalists include:

  • Ansaldo STS USA, Inc.
  • ANSYS, Inc.
  • Concurrent Technologies Corporation
  • FedEx Ground
  • TeleTracking Technologies, Inc.

Technology Accelerator of the Year

The tech industry relies on companies and organizations to provide services that help to accelerate growth. These for-profit companies include, but are not limited to – VC/finance, angel investing, private equity, accounting, legal, staffing, consulting, etc. and deliver products, services or processes that support the success of client technology companies.

Category finalists include:

  • AEC Group, Inc.
  • Data Science Automation Inc.
  • SDLC Partners, L.P.
  • Sierra w/o Wires, Inc.
  • Summa Technologies

CEO of the Year

These are the people in the corner office who everyone looks to for direction. Entrants should be CEOs of Tech 50 category companies who make substantial contributions to company performance and demonstrate outstanding leadership and high levels of peer esteem.

Finalists for CEO of the Year include:

  • Patrick Daly/Cohera Medical
  • Jeff Kendall/Liberty Tire Recycling
  • Justin McElhattan/Industrial Scientific Corporation
  • Chris Robins/BodyMedia