FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Technology Councils of North America Announces Winners for 7th Annual Innovation Awards

Sewickley, Penn., July 25, 2025 — The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), representing over 50 technology associations across the U.S. and Canada, announces the winners of its seventh-annual TECNA Innovation Awards. These awards recognize and celebrate the exceptional innovativeness and useful contributions made by individuals and teams to improve their technology community.

The award ceremony was held in Montreal, Quebec, during the annual TECNA Summer Conference on July 15. The awards were presented by Doug Robertson, CEO from Venn Innovation in Moncton, New Brunswick, and Zakiyyah Ali, Executive Director from Tech Council of Delaware in Wilmington, along with Avvey Peters, Head of Ecosystem Strategy from NorthGuide based in Kitchener, Ontario.

“This year’s TECNA Innovation Awards underscore the vital role regional tech councils and hubs play in driving collaboration, advocacy, education, and innovation across the tech sector,” said Jennifer Young, TECNA CEO. “These awards not only celebrate the outstanding work of TECNA’s member organizations, but also serve as a source of inspiration—encouraging others to explore new ideas and foster a culture of continuous improvement. When TECNA organizations and their companies are thriving, entire regions benefit.”

The 2025 Innovation Awards winners include:

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award – Two Winners - recognizing teams who have developed innovative initiatives in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Winner 1 – Connecticut Technology Council
The annual CTC Women of Innovation event celebrates Connecticut’s women innovators, role models, mentors, and leaders in STEM fields across the state. Categories range from youth, collegian, and research to entrepreneurial, corporate and community, recognizing women in diverse occupations and at various career stages for their leadership and innovation impact. 2025 marks the 20^th anniversary of the program.

Winner 2 – Technology Council of West Michigan (The Right Place)
Go Beyond is a full-day immersive experience developed by The Right Place’s Technology Council of West Michigan to support, elevate, and connect executive-level women in STEM fields. The 2024 program, held in Grand Rapids, MI, featured curated workshops, inspirational talks, and peer-led mastermind groups designed to foster leadership, mentorship, and a sense of belonging. Go Beyond centers marginalized voices and provides a safe, inclusive space for career advancement, mental wellness, and network-building. The initiative addresses gender inequity in tech leadership and prioritizes emotional well-being, authenticity, and community impact.

Marketing & Communications Award - recognizing teams who developed innovative marketing, communications, or social media strategies strengthening the brand and community engagement of the tech council.

Winner - MKE Tech Hub Coalition
MKE Tech Hub Coalition launched an initiative to elevate Milwaukee's tech reputation to attract and retain top talent by creating ChooseMKETech.org. This platform showcases Milwaukee as a great place to live and showcases the depth and breadth of their regional tech ecosystem by highlighting innovative solutions emerging from Milwaukee's core industries: advanced manufacturing, bio health, energy/water solutions, and fintech. Through strategic content development, SEO optimization, and targeted digital marketing, the site now attracts up to 8,000 visitors monthly. In 2024, we enhanced the platform with a comprehensive regional events calendar and an automated job board featuring opportunities from our member companies—further demonstrating the vibrancy and potential of Milwaukee's tech landscape.

Public Policy Advocacy Award - recognizing teams who have led creative efforts on behalf of their tech council in the area of public policy advocacy.

Winner – Arizona Technology Council
In 2024, AZTC focused on securing the continuation of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), advancing computer science education, supporting renewable energy and defending economic development programs — all amid a $1.3 billion state budget deficit. To influence key legislative outcomes, AZTC actively monitored more than 1,600 bills, engaged with legislators, coordinated testimony and ran awareness campaigns. AZTC’s advocacy helped ensure a five-year continuation of the ACA, an agency instrumental in economic and tech sector growth. AZTC also blocked harmful clean energy bills and supported legislation facilitating equitable broadband access, K-12 STEM opportunities and responsible tax policy. These efforts reflect a commitment not just to Arizona’s technology sector but also to inclusive, future-ready economic policy.

Major Impact on Tech Community Award – Two Winners - recognizing teams who have made a substantial impact on the tech community or on the community at large.

American Winner - Technology Council of Delaware
The Tech Council of Delaware hosted their second annual Tech Ecosystem Conference that unites the state’s tech community of technologists, tech leaders, tech professionals, start-ups, investors, and influencers to learn about industry trends, connect to local programs and initiatives, and network with each other – doubling in attendance in their second year. The two-day conference featured a Tech Start-Up Symposium, Artificial Intelligence presentations, an A.I. panel discussion, and a Black Men Talk Tech panel. The annual event goal is to provide young adults from disadvantaged communities with a warm welcome into the tech ecosystem by assisting them in enrolling in a tech training program and becoming an Aspiring Tech Professional Council member.

Canadian Winner - Technology Association of Quebec/Association québécoise des technologies
CEO Vision/Vision PDG is a unique, invitation-only summit that brings together 150 technology CEOs for three transformative days of connection, reflection, and strategic growth. Organized by the Quebec Technology Association (AQT), the event has become the most influential gathering of tech executives in the province — a space where business leaders step away from day-to-day operations to invest in their vision, leadership, and network. CEO Vision/Vision PDG is more than a conference — itʼs an ecosystem of trust, influence, and innovation. It equips CEOs with actionable insights, peer support, and new perspectives to lead through uncertainty and seize global opportunities.

Member & Client Services Award – Two Winners – recognizing teams who implemented innovative work or projects that creatively recruited or retained council members and/or clients beyond normal daily operations and events to recruit or retain member clients.

Winner 1 – Venn Innovation, Kyle Murray-Zelmer
Venn Innovation’s Market Intelligence program provides market intelligence information from select proprietary databases, accessed through Toronto-based MaRS, to early stage, innovation-based companies in Atlantic Canada. With the guidance of Kyle Murray-Zelmer in recent years, program clients get actionable counsel, and it formalizes the support that startups need. Kyle Murray-Zelmer, PhD, has highly specialized knowledge and experience, as well as relationships with stakeholders that he draws upon to give Atlantic startups an edge.

Winner 2 – Platform Calgary
In 2024 Platform Calgary established a Peer-to-Peer Program with the intent to cultivate a vibrant and trusted peer community for tech professionals, and to support team members working in startups and scaleups beyond just the founding team. Peer groups focus on connecting, problem-solving, advancing leadership skills, and staying abreast of industry trends. This program is a catalyst for developing Calgary's current and future tech leadership, leaving a lasting, positive imprint on the local innovation ecosystem.

Talent Pipeline & Workforce: STEM & Students Award – recognizing teams who have developed innovative workforce or talent pipeline initiatives for K-12 STEM, higher-ed STEM, CTE, or internships.

Winner – Tech Titans
Tech Titans STEM engages around 6,000 students across 6 school districts - over 20,000 students inspired since it started. The program is hands-on: students get direct guidance through expert mentorship, hear diverse perspectives in industry panels, make quick connections in speed mentoring, see tech in action on company tours, and explore future paths with university visits. Collaboration is key; our partnerships help build bridges between students, companies, and sponsors. Ultimately, we're nurturing essential skills, igniting passion, and building the vital pipeline of tech talent our region needs.

Talent Pipeline and Workforce: Upskilling & Professional Development Award - recognizing teams who have developed innovative workforce or talent pipeline initiatives for training/re-training, apprenticeships, job portals, mentoring, coding and DEI.

Winner – Mass Tech Leadership Council
Tech Runs Boston is an innovative program aimed at young tech professionals, providing a platform to connect, share ideas, and learn best practices. A unique aspect of TRB is that our speakers are early career professionals, making this truly for early career by early career. This has provided a platform for our future leaders to get experience public speaking and has also had the added benefit of creating an event stronger community. MTLC’s Tech Runs Boston program is guided by advisors from some of Boston's top tech companies, who serve on the program’s advisory board. These professionals are making significant impacts in their organizations and beyond, having them as consultants on subject matter helps to strengthen our community and topics.

About TECNA   
The Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) is a federation of more than 50 highly collaborative technology councils and trade associations in the US and Canada. TECNA combines the expertise and influence of its member councils and associations – and the 22,000 technology companies they serve – to achieve outcomes that individual organizations cannot achieve alone. We use that expertise and influence to promote innovation and help grow the North American economy. More information on TECNA can be found at: tecna.org, on X/Twitter or Linkedin.


Contact:
Alina Hardy
Communications Director
ahardy@tecna.org

Jennifer G. Young
Chief Executive Officer
jyoung@tecna.org

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