PRESS RELEASE: 1871 and The CEC Announce 9 Finalists for 12th Annual Momentum Awards
CHICAGO (August 19, 2019) -- 1871 and The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) announced Monday the nine finalists for the 12th Annual Momentum Awards. The Momentum Awards are separated into two categories; the Momentum Rising Star Award, which recognizes a company that is early in its progression, but has a proven track record and the potential to grow into a leader in its industry, and the Momentum Award, which honors a seasoned company that has demonstrated significant growth, received external funding, and has made a substantial impact on Chicago’s tech and startup community.
Four finalists have been selected for the category of the Momentum Rising Star Award and five finalists have been selected for the category of the Momentum Award. Finalists were chosen from a list of 85 nominees during a public nomination process. The winners for both the Momentum Rising Star Award and the Momentum Award will be announced at the 12th Annual Momentum Awards on September 19th.
“The finalists for this year’s Momentum Rising Star Award and Momentum Award reflect Chicago’s extraordinary community of founders and innovators. I’m honored to recognize all of our finalists for their achievements and commitment to our city’s tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Each one of these companies serves as proof that Chicago is one of the best cities in the world to build a business.” – Betsy Ziegler, CEO, 1871
Nominees for the Momentum Rising Star Award include:
Proxfinity | Proxfinity uses hardware and software to build social hardware, for business - a new type of wearable technology and SaaS platform for the enterprise. Proxfinity's digital smart badge, software and data provide an end-to-end solution that focuses in-person interaction and increases the commercial value of live events.
EX3 Labs | EX3 Labs is an experience design and digital innovation firm that helps the world's largest organizations deliver impactful experiences to their customers and workforce. We specialize in building immersive solutions that leverage augmented and virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and IoT.
Rheaply | Rheaply has created the best, easiest, and most robust platform for an organization to manage its pricey assets and resources called an Asset Exchange Manager (AxM). Rheaply's award-winning AxM brings about better management, tracking, visibility, and utilization of an organization's assets/resources and is easier to use than an online marketplace which is helping all organizations - from Fortune 1000 companies to leading universities - make better procurement and operational decisions while diverting unnecessary waste from landfills.
Avail | Independent landlords are confident when they use Avail, an online platform with the tools, support and education to manage rental properties easily. Today, over 150,000 DIY landlords and 350,000 renters rely on Avail for a better renting experience.
“This year’s finalists for 1871’s Rising Star and Momentum awards are emblematic of Chicago’s role as a destination for starting, growing, and nurturing cutting-edge technology companies. In true Chicago fashion, these companies create jobs, mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs, and give back to the community civically and charitably, further cementing Chicago’s reputation as a global beacon lying at the crossroads of innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s a privilege to recognize their efforts and achievements.” – Larry Eppley, CEC Board Chairman