Posts tagged Boulder Chamber
Boulder Chamber’s ESPRiT Entrepreneur 2017 Awards
Oct 26th
On Wednesday night the Boulder Chamber hosted its annual ESPRiT awards dinner in the Glenn Miller Ballroom at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The event was attended by over 300 people.
Zayo Group’s chairman and CEO, Dan Caruso, accepted the 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year award with a pre-recorded video speech. He thanked community leaders and said Boulder was an ideal environment to start and grow a business.
CU economist Rich Wobbekind provided graphs of statistics that showed Boulder has a highly educated population and a variety of successful industries.
The Boulder Economic Council’s director, Clif Harald, introduced the Boulder Innovation Venture. This is a study of the city’s role as a leader in innovation and research. Its purpose is to raise awareness and attract more talent to Boulder.
Three finalists of the Esprit Venture Challenge, presented their ideas to the audience. They were questioned by three judges: Terrie Fiez, vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Colorado, Boulder; Amy McGarrity, chief investment officer for Colorado PERA; and Jose Vieitez, co-founder of the Boomtown accelerator in Boulder. Members of the audience then used an online voting app to select the winner..
Khala Cloths won $10,000 for the development and marketing of a hemp-cotton fabric treated with beeswax, tree resin, and coconut oil that is a biodegradeable alternative to plastic wrap for storing food.
Dance To Be Free won $2,500. This nonprofit group uses the healing power of music and dance to treat victims of post-traumatic stress disorder in women’s prisons worldwide.
Give and Go Film won $1,000. This company is marketing an automated video editing system that could be widely used by sports coaches. Mac Bolak, CEO, started this venture when he was the manager of the University of Colorado men’s basketball team. This editing procedure is about seventy-two times faster than the manual video editing procedure currently in use.
ESPIRIT is a premiere event held Boulder Chamber each year . It awards local startups as well as long standing Boulder businesses. It was a highly produced event with a sold out Dinner crowd. Boulder Channel 1 business reporters follows Boulder Chamber and many of it’s events. They have a diverse membership and is inviting to all Boulder businesses showing s true reflection of our city.
Women Who Light the Community 2017
Sep 7th
by Kim Copeland Ambassador and reporter
Boulder, the town known for its well-educated residents capable of innovation and high incomes paused for an evening to celebrate 6 women dedicated to giving back. Boulder Chamber sponsored event, Women Who Light the Community, was held at Boulder JCC with a sold-out crowd. The awards honor women who have contributed to the community (both locally, nationally and internationally) through innovation in a business, non-profit, arts or community need.
The crowd was brought to tears as the first honoree, Naomi Graff, Emerging Youth Leader, and a student at New Vista High School, read a letter to her middle school self. It was an emotional and sometimes humorous prompting for self-acceptance and caring.
Allison Barto, an astrophysicist with Ball Aerospace and the Program Manager for the James Webb Space Telescope, shared how a camp counselor ignited her passion for space. That passion has expanded to a love for STEM education and the belief that “education is the great equalizer.”
Kathy Valentine, Executive Director of Colie’s Closet and volunteer at HOPE Coalition of Boulder County, Parent Engagement Network and the Second Wind Fund shared her passion for helping to prevent suicide. As a retiree, her time has been dedicated to helping others and to making the choice to “dance” through life as opposed to sitting out.
Janet Martin, Chair of the Boulder Community Health Board, has served on the board as a trustee for 10 years and is in her 2nd year at the leadership position. She shared that she became involved with the Board as the result of her experience spending many, many hours in a hospital supporting both her husband and daughter as they went through numerous surgeries.
Pam Malzbender, Co-chair of Zonta EducateZ is dedicated to education for women and girls. “Her goal is to inspire women to hold on to their inner strength and dreams.” It was inspirational to see the numerous women from Zonta in attendance to support Pam as she was honored for her work.
Elvira (Elvita) Ramos, Vice President of Programs and Inclusive Leadership at the Community Foundation of Boulder County, is dedicated to bringing people together. Elvita has been a board member for an impressive number of organizations and is currently involved with the Boulder County Commissioner’s Inclusivity Task Force, the City of Longmont’s Multicultural Action Council, and other groups. She also passionately loves animals.