Momentum Awards

This award is presented to a CEO who has successfully scaled their company through outstanding leadership, ability to attract and retain talented resources, dedication to diversity and inclusion, and the implementation of strategic growth opportunities.

Award Criteria:

• Leads a company with growing revenue/profitability that exceeds industry averages.
• Solid track record with a focus on growth for both the company and its employees.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Must be an individual in a CEO role, employed by a Chicagoland-based technology business.

Nomination Assets:

• Key information about the nominee [Name, email, company, URLs, handles].
• 2 sentences on why they should win.
• Paragraph demonstrating that the nominee has met the award criteria.

This award recognizes a company that has developed or introduced an ingenious, non-traditional, and innovative product or service that has significantly disrupted its industry.

Award Criteria:

• Concept must be truly new and not a repositioning of an existing offering.
• Must be technology-focused or technology-enabled.
• Concept must have passed initial validity testing and not just an idea that may not be developed.
• Must be located in, or have their North American HQ based in, Chicagoland.

Nomination Assets:

• Key information about the nominee [Company, email, name, URL, handles, range of employees, revenue, & growth details].
• 2 sentences on why they should win.
• Paragraph demonstrating that the nominee has met the award criteria.

This award is presented to the technology company that has fostered an impact-oriented culture for their employees through a dedicated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, along with a positive contribution to the community.

Award Criteria:

• Defined and actionable corporate responsibility (philanthropic) plan.
• Demonstrated company commitment to fostering a culture of equity and inclusion.
• Deliberate positive social impact efforts through business operations and administration.
• Must be located in, or have their North American HQ based in, Chicagoland.

Nomination Assets:

• Key information about the nominee [Company, email, name, URL, handles, range of employees, revenue, & growth details].
• 2 sentences on why they should win.
• Paragraph demonstrating that the nominee has met the award criteria.

This award recognizes a company that is early in its progression, has achieved significant traction in their market, and is well-positioned to grow into a leader in its market.

Award Criteria:

• Company is becoming a visible and active presence in the Chicago tech and startup community.
• Proven traction through team growth, funding, revenue, paid customers, product innovation, etc.
• Has demonstrated rapid growth in the past 6-12 months.
• Must be located in, or have their North American HQ based in, Chicagoland.

Nomination Assets:

• Key information about the nominee [Company, email, name, URL, handles, range of employees, revenue, & growth details].
• 2 sentences on why they should win.
• Paragraph demonstrating that the nominee has met the award criteria.

Awarded to a growth-stage tech company with the strongest potential to emerge as a market leader.

Award Criteria:

• Company has proven traction through team growth, funding, revenue, paid customers, and product innovation.
• Has experienced rapid growth in the past 12-18 months.
• Recognized as a leader or potential leader in their market.
• Must be located in, or have their North American HQ based in, Chicagoland.

Nomination Assets:

• Key information about the nominee [Company, email, name, URL, handles, range of employees, revenue, & growth details].
• 2 sentences on why they should win.
• Paragraph demonstrating that the nominee has met the award criteria.

Honors a late-stage tech company that has become a category leader through innovation and growth.

Award Criteria:

• Company has shown consistent revenue/profit growth.
• Recognized as a leader or potential leader in their market.
• Company is a driving force in the Chicagoland tech ecosystem.
• Must be located in, or have their North American HQ based in, Chicagoland.

Nomination Assets:

• Key information about the nominee [Company, email, name, URL, handles, range of employees, revenue, & growth details].
• 2 sentences on why they should win.
• Paragraph demonstrating that the nominee has met the award criteria.

Recognizes a company that has championed the growth of Illinois's tech industry through community-focused action.

Note: This award does not require nominations.

Presented to an individual who exemplifies the values of Chicago's entrepreneurial community and empowers future innovators.

Note: This award does not require nominations.