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At its seventh annual technology awards gala last night, TechMaine celebrated everything from digital gift card companies with clients like Home Depot, to startups raising tropical fish in the cold climate of Maine using high-tech aquaculture techniques. And the audience at the Eastland Park Hotel were entertained by the pair of mock scientists from EepyBird – the ones responsible for Diet Coke and Mentos-powered fountains and rocket cars.
But the big winner of the night might have been the Maine Technology Institute, the state arm charged with doling out seed and development-stage funds for tech startups. Fully three out of the first four tech award winners heaped lavish praise on MTI in their acceptance speeches.
Accepting the award for New Technology of the Year, CEO Christopher Sauer of Ocean Renewable Power Co. LLC said that MTI had been absolutely vital for the tidal energy startup.
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Maine Technology Institute,” he said. “It is the best thing that’s ever happened to the state of Maine. I wish the Department of Energy would take a lesson from MTI on how they conduct their business, because MTI does it more efficiently.”
Soren Hansen of Sea & Reef Aquaculture LLC agreed. Hansen won the Technology Innovator of the Year award for applying aquaculture processes to Sea & Reef to allow it to grow rare tropical fish in the wintry New England climate, which it then sells to pet store chains around the country. MTI was one of the many Maine organizations he thanked in his speech.
That sense of support from both the state and the general tech community in Maine was summed up best by Fritz Grobe, one of the two viral marketing geniuses behind EepyBird, which is based in the very small town of Buckfield, Maine. Despite appearing on every show from David Letterman to Mythbusters and travelling around the country, Grobe said he finds the greatest innovation and creativity happening in Maine.
“We’re in Maine because it’s where we find the best,” Grobe said.
Winners of this year’s Technology Awards were:
The Governor’s Award for Technology Company of the Year: Tilson Technology Management of Portland
Gazelle Company of the Year: CashStar Inc. of Portland
CxO of the Year: Martin Grimnes, CEO, Harbor Technologies LLC of Brunswick
New Technology of the Year: Ocean Renewable Power Co. LLC of Portland
Technology Innovator of the Year: Soren Hansen of Sea & Reef Aquaculture LLC of Orono
The Best of the Web awards winners were:
Corporate Image: www.auroraphotos.com, designed by Aurora Photos of Portland
Arts & Entertainment: www.fotovisura.com, designed by Jamie Peloquin Design of Freeport
Non-Profit: www.safepassage.org, designed by Kevin Brooks Web Design and Development of Portland.
E-Commerce: www.turtleloveco.com, designed by Turtle Love Co. of Portland
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