APEX Awards - Colorado Technology Association

Journey to The Top
Meet the leaders and companies elevating CO tech to new heights

This year’s APEX Awards will be a week-long digital celebration of the leaders and companies elevating Colorado tech to new heights and will conclude with a live virtual celebration on February 4th.

Each day of the week, we’ll announce different award finalists and winners across our digital platforms and social media channels and share their stories of courage, passion and tenacity.

The celebration will culminate on Thursday, February 4th, with our annual APEX Awards event. The virtual event will feature a dynamic program with abundant networking opportunities and live award announcements.

Since 2001, CTA has hosted this prestigious event to bring together the community and celebrate the exceptional people, companies and accomplishments of the year. In the tradition of years past, we’ll be recognizing award winners who are leading the way for Colorado tech. Winners are selected by a panel of community judges. Want a closer look at the APEX Awards, check out photos from the 2019 APEX Awards, including on the Red Carpet.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON

February 1 – February 4, 2021

Virtual

WHY ATTEND THE 2021 APEX AWARDS EVENT?

Join your technology community for an evening of celebration, connection and entertainment!

Make New Connections + Extend Your Reach

Through our AI-powered matchmaking platform, we’ll make navigating hundreds of attendees, generating leads and making connections easier than ever before!
Build a personal profile, view the attendee list and connect with industry peers through in-platform chat, pre-scheduled peer-to-peer virtual meetings and speed networking sessions.
Attendees will have early access to the event platform to ensure you’re able to make the most of your time at the event.

Support the Community + Celebrate Our Tech Leaders

You believe in the Colorado tech community and want to support our industry now more than ever!
The APEX event platform will feature on-demand interviews of our award winners on their journey to the top. Join us to learn about how they got started, what keeps them motivated and where they’re headed.

Don’t Miss Out on the Live Event Announcements

During the award ceremony, we’ll be announcing the winners for the Entrepreneur Excellence, CEO, CISO, CIO and Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement awards LIVE.
Only event attendees will view the live announcements and finalist reactions.

Shine a Spotlight on the Winners + Your Company!

Your company has an amazing service, product or team and you want to showcase that to the world! Join the event as a sponsor to align your brand with the best of the best in technology and showcase all that you have to offer in front of Colorado’s top tech leaders and talent.

TICKETS

General Admission
Non-CTA Member
$75

General Admission
CTA Member
$35

10 Ticket Bundle
CTA Members Only
10 Tickets for $250 ($25/ticket)

What You’ll Receive with Your Ticket

Access to our AI-event platform where you can build a personal profile and connect with other attendees based on mutual interests
Ability to schedule peer-to-peer virtual meetings with other event attendees on event day and to meet on the virtual platform
Multiple 30-minute Speed Networking Sessions held on our AI-powered networking platform where you’ll have six five-minute virtual meetings with your peers
On-demand digital interviews of all of our award finalists and winners
A dynamic program featuring live award announcements for the Entrepreneur Excellence, CEO, CISO, CIO and Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement awards

2021 PROGRAM

Monday, Feb. 1
- Advocate of the Year Award Announced
- Talent Champion of the Year Award Announced
Tuesday, Feb. 2
- Emerging Leader of the Year Award Announced
- Emerging Tech Company of the Year Award Announced
Wednesday, Feb. 3
- Company of the Year Award Announced
- Project of the Year Award Announced
Thursday, Feb. 4 // APEX Awards Ceremony

1 pm // Networking Platform Open for Peer-to-Peer Meetings

4 pm // Networking Platform Open for Peer-to-Peer Meetings

4:50 pm // Speed Networking Sessions Open

5:20 pm // Speed Networking Sessions Close

5:30 pm // Welcome Remarks

5:50 pm // Colorado Entrepreneur Excellence Award

5:55 pm // CEO of the Year Award

6 pm // CISO of the Year Award

6:05 pm // Intermission + Networking

6:30 pm // CIO of the Year Award

6:35 pm // Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement

6:50 pm // Program Ends

7 pm // Speed Networking Sessions Open

7:30 pm // Event Ends

AWARDS

Advocate of the Year

This individual is advancing the technology industry in Colorado through their leadership in moving forward policies and ideas that ensure our state’s status as a prominent tech hub.
Past Recipients

2019 – Mayor Michael B. Hancock, City & County of Denver
2018 – State Senator Jack Tate
2017 – State Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp
2016 – Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers
2015 – State Sen. Rollie Heath and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet
2014 – Representative Dan Pabon and Paul Washington, Denver OED
2013 – Rep. Angela Williams and Sen. Mark Scheffel
2011 – Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, Representative Carole Murray, Senator Cheri Jahn and Senator Linda Newell
2010 – Representative Mike May, Senator Josh Penry and the Republican Caucus
2005 – Brian Vogt, OEDIT

CEO of the Year

This creative, innovative and determined founder or CEO leads a Colorado-based tech company. In addition to the daily role of leading their company, they work to drive the vibrancy of the tech economy beyond their business.
Past Recipients

2019 – Brandon Ridenour, ANGI Homeservices
2018 – Brock Berry, AdCellerant
2017 – Shawn Mills, Green House Data
2016 – Annette Quintana, Istonish
2015 – Dave Wright, SolidFire

CISO of the Year

This innovative Chief Information Security Officer has implemented a security program that accelerated the success of her/his Colorado-based business. Utilizing people, processes and technologies, this security leader has positioned the security program to deliver on the core mission of the organization.
Past Recipients

2019 – James Carder, LogRhythm
2018 – Robb Reck, Ping Identity
2017 – Matt Shufeldt, Cognizant

Company of the Year

This Colorado-based company’s overall performance sets it apart as a leader through technical innovation and concrete examples of how it is meeting a need in the marketplace. This company also is a strong leader in the community and shows corporate responsibility.
Past Recipients

2019 – CableLabs
2018 – HomeAdvisor
2017 – SendGrid
2016 – ViaWest
2015 – SpotX
2014 – LogRhythm
2013 – Ping Identity
2012 – Mercury
2011 – Rivet Software
2010 – ServiceMagic
2009 – GTRI
2007 – Webroot
2006 – Webroot
2005 – Webroot
2004 – eCollege
2003 – FRxSoftware
2002 – DataTrend Information Systems

Emerging Tech Company of the Year

This is Colorado’s most promising emerging company in operation for five years or less. They are innovative and identified a need in the marketplace for the product or service.
Past Recipients

2019 – Bluestaq
2018 – Pax8
2017 – PAIRIN
2016 – Couragion
2015 – BluFlux
2014 – GeoPoll
2013 – Cloud Elements

NOMINATE HERE

Talent Champion of the Year

This individual builds and strengthens the technology talent pipeline by leading and supporting initiatives to construct and ensure a strong, diverse local pipeline of tech workers in the state.
Past Recipients

2019 – Alan Buller, FEDC TechSTART
2018 – Heather Terenzio, Techtonic Group
2017 – Global MindED
2016 – CareerWise Colorado
2015 – Blind Institute of Technology

Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement

This individual has made outstanding achievements and commitments to furthering innovative technology in our community and the state and has contributed to the initiatives of Colorado Technology Association.
Past Recipients

2019 – Rich Liner, KidsTek
2018 – Kristin Russell, Arrow Electronics
2017 – Andre Durand, Ping Identity
2016 – Lucy Sanders, NCWIT
2015 – Steve Halstedt
2014 – J.B. Holston, Sitrion
2013 – Dan Caruso, Zayo Group
2012 – Nancy Sauer
2011 – John Oechsle, DigitalGlobe
2010 – Nancy Phillips, ViaWest
2009 – Jon Nordmark, eBags and Wambo
2008 – Brad Feld, Foundry Group
2007 – Barbara Bauer, GlobalSight Partners
2006 – Scott Burt, Integro
2005 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
2004 – Donna Auguste, Leave A Little Room Foundation
2003 – Wayne Berger, Solano Foundation
2002 – Donald J. McCubbery, University of Denver
2001 – Bob Newman, JD Edwards

CIO of the Year

This outstanding Chief Information Officer has demonstrated considerable ingenuity in leading an IT team and implementing technology projects that demonstrably improve the effectiveness of their organization.
Past Recipients

2019 – Sandi Mays, Zayo
2018 – Suma Nallapati, Governor’s Office of Information Technology
2017 – Jeff Robertson, DigitalGlobe
2016 – Vin Melvin, Arrow Electronics
2015 – John Swieringa, CIO of the Year
2014 – Dave Anderson, CH2M Hill

Colorado Entrepreneur Excellence

This entrepreneurial leader has contributed to multiple businesses, with at least one as a tech company started, grown and operated in Colorado. They have a true passion to seek out problems to solve, and they organize, manage and assume the risk of a business or enterprise.
Past Recipients

2019 – Trent R. Hein, Rule4
2018 – Sudha Chandrasekharan, Learn-Skillz
2017 – Elia Wallen, Traveler’s Haven & Hotel Engine
2016 – Page Tucker, ProStar Geocorp
2014 – Jeremy Ostermiller, Altitutde Digital
2013 – Peter Hudson, iTriage LLC
2012 – Bart Lorang, FullContact
2011 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
2010 – Roy Dimoff, ViaWest
2009 – John Tredennick, Catalyst Repository Systems

Emerging Leader of the Year

This Emerging Leader has demonstrated a commitment to the Colorado tech industry by showing passion for technology and making significant contributions to their organization or the industry overall. They excel at their role and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally and personally. This individual shows great potential to grow in their area of expertise and as a leader in the tech community.
Past Recipients

2019 – Jamie Cohen, ANGI Homeservices
2018 – Samuel Thomas Elliot, Amnet

NOMINATE HERE

Project of the Year

This project, implemented by an innovative IT department, solved a business problem with strategic objectives and innovation and overcame obstacles, met goals and demonstrated team collaboration.
Past Recipients

2019 – St. Vrain Valley Schools
2018 – Levels Beyond
2017 – Braxton Technologies
2016 – Arrow Electronics & Indiegogo Certification Program
2015 – DigitalGlobe
2014 – GoCode Colorado, Colorado Secretary of State’s Office
2013 – Governor’s Office of Information Technology
2012 – Pixorial
2011 – PEI
2010 – Lincoln Trust Company

NOMINATE HERE

FAQ

Is the event virtual?

The 2021 APEX Awards will be held as a virtual event. The safety of our community is our first priority. We’ve curated an engaging event platform, ample networking opportunities and a dynamic program for this digital program that you won’t want to miss!
I’m getting invited to a lot of virtual award ceremonies. What makes this one different?

Thanks for asking! APEX puts our winner and our attendees (that’s YOU!) at the center of our program. Over the course of the event, we’ll provide a variety of networking opportunities, including AI-powered connection recommendations and the ability to schedule in-platform one-to-one meetings and Speed Networking Sessions, allowing you to connect with industry leaders and build new relationships. In addition, our awards will be LIVE and you won’t want to miss out on the live award acceptance speeches, along with on-demand video interviews with all of our finalists and winners!
What do I receive with my event ticket?
With your event ticket, you’ll receive:
- - Access to our AI-event platform where you can build a personal profile and connect with other attendees based on mutual interests
  - Ability to schedule peer-to-peer virtual meetings with other event attendees on event day and to meet on the virtual platform
  - Multiple 30-minute Speed Networking Sessions held on our AI-powered networking platform where you’ll have six five-minute virtual meetings with your peers
- On-demand interviews of all of our award finalists and winners
- A dynamic program featuring live award announcements for the Entrepreneur Excellence, CEO, CISO, CIO and Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement awards
Which awards will be virtually presented during the ceremony?

This year’s APEX Awards will be a week-long digital celebration of the leaders and companies elevating Colorado tech to new heights and will conclude with a live virtual celebration on February 4th and the announcement of the Entrepreneur Excellence, CEO, CISO, CIO and Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement awards. We’ll also be sharing on-demand interviews of all of our award finalists and winners throughout the week!
I love the virtual red carpet - will you have an opportunity to take virtual photos at the event?

Yes! We’ll have a virtual Red Carpet Photo Booth for all our attendees to share where they are viewing the award ceremony from!
When will I be able to access the technology platforms?

For our event technology platform Grip, we’ll provide access to all registered attendees on January 28th and send you an email notification. An account will have already been made for you when you signed up, all you need to do is follow the instructions in the Welcome Email, set your password and complete setting up your profile.
Access Grip: https://matchmaking.grip.events/clevelatamilehigh/event-login
How do I join the event?

First, please register for the event here. Leading up to the event and on the event day you’ll join the event through our event platform, Grip. You should have received an email from noreply@mg.gripcontact.com with your login and registrationID/password information. Once you log in the first time, you’ll be prompted to create your own secure password. If you have trouble logging in, please contact eventsmgr@coloradotechnology.org and we’ll get back to you right away. When you send your email, please be sure to include your phone number so we can call you back to support you, if needed.
I registered for APEX but have not received my event email login?

It can take up to 24 hours for your registration details to be available on the platform. If you’re still unable to log in after this period, email eventsmgr@coloradotechnology.org. When you send your email, please be sure to include your phone number so we can call you back to support you, if needed.
How do I update my Grip attendee profile?

Once the platform is officially launched on January 28th, you’ll be able to edit your profile directly on the platform.
Are sponsorships still available?

Absolutely! Sponsorships are a great way to showcase your company to our tech community. Please contact jason@coloradotechnology.org to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorships are available on a first come first serve basis.
I still have questions . . .

If you have further questions about the event or anything CTA-related, please reach out to eventsmgr@coloradotechnology.org.