By: Business Review West Michigan
Published: Thursday, June 24, 2010 at 12:02pm
Business Review has named 38 companies as finalists for the 2010 Innovation Michigan statewide awards. Winners will be named at the July 28 awards and exposition at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids.
The largest number of finalists in the event’s five-year history, Business Review selected the Innovation finalists based on uniqueness of the innovation, which could include a new product, process, business, line or service. Innovations must have occurred within the past 18 months. Entries also were judged based on the outcome of the innovation to date, including its effect on revenue, employee morale, customers and company image.
The finalists represent a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, not-for-profit, technology, health care and education. Each finalist will showcase their innovation at the July 28 Innovation Michigan Awards & Exposition, 5:30-9 p.m. Eight companies will be named winners at the end of the evening.
“Innovation Michigan is the premier event honoring innovation across the state,” Business Review Editor B. Candace Beeke said. “It’s invigorating to see what these entrepreneurs create. It’s also rewarding to see the established, larger companies in Michigan maintaining an innovative corporate culture.
“This is a time when Michigan needs to see that innovation in business is alive and well.”
All finalists also will be featured in a special publication by Business Review July 22.
Business Review will present its Lifetime Achievement Award for Innovation to Amway Corp. of Ada at Innovation Michigan, honoring the 50-year-old company’s innovative business model and long history of innovation. Amway, the second-largest privately held company in the region, employs 4,000 in West Michigan.
“Amway was chosen for this prestigious award because its long success has been the result of extreme innovation, from its roots to its modern accomplishments,” Beeke said. “Business Review is proud to recognize Amway as one of the hallmarks of innovation in this business community.”
Past Lifetime Achievement for Innovation winners include Herman Miller Inc., Kellogg Co., Stryker Corp. and Meijer Inc.
More than 200 are expected to attend Innovation Michigan from across the state. In addition to food and drinks, guests will enjoy unique entertainment and music from West Michigan. Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door.
Sponsors for Innovation Michigan include Comcast, GRid70, Western Michigan University, The Right Place, Stiles and Ottawa County Michigan Works! Partners include MichBio and Southwest Michigan First.
Innovation Michigan Finalists:
- AL Software, Detroit
- Azenic Inc., Kalamazoo
- Bloomfire, Kalamazoo
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Detroit
- Berryco, Ada
- Crystal Clean Auto Detailing, Grand Rapids
- Downstream, Zeeland
- Downtown Kalamazoo Inc.
- DVS, Grand Rapids
- Dynamic Computer Corp., Farmington Hills
- Eagle Rotary Systems, Jackson
- Eco-Composites, Holland
- e-Simulations, Grand Rapids
- Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids
- GRid70, Grand Rapids
- Grand Rapids Inventors Network
- Hammerhead International, Bingham Farms
- Heart of West Michigan United Way, Grand Rapids
- Hospice at Home, St. Joseph
- JaiPlace, Grand Rapids
- Junior Achievement & The Manufacturers Council, Grand Rapids
- Learn Inc., Kalamazoo
- LS Mold Inc., Holland
- Magnum Engineering, Grand Rapids
- Metro Health, Wyoming
- Michigan State University College of Communication Arts & Sciences/INgage Networks, Lansing
- Pan’s Innovative Science & Technology, Grand Rapids
- Parnunu, Zeeland
- Pink Slip Party West Michigan
- Quaeris, Grand Rapids
- Revel Custom Wine Cellars, Grand Rapids
- Ruwach Design, Grand Rapids
- Seldom Disappointed, Kalamazoo
- Steel Supply & Engineering Co., Grand Rapids
- Steelcase Inc., Grand Rapids
- The Stocked Kitchen, Grand Haven
- U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan chapter, Spring Lake
- Stryker Corp., Kalamazoo
