Date

November 14, 2024

Location

Minneapolis Convention Center

Awards

15 Teknes Awarded

About the Tekne Awards / Minnesota's Premier Technology Celebration

The Tekne Awards are a celebration of the excellence and innovation within Minnesota’s technology ecosystem. Now in its 26th year, the Minnesota Technology Association hosts this event to honor the leaders and leading organizations who are fueling Minnesota’s tech-driven economy, with 15 Tekne Awards across 3 categories: Business Impact, Community Impact, and Individual Achievement. We invite you to join your colleagues to cheer on the Tekne Award finalists and recipients and celebrate the strength of our exceptional tech community on this very special occasion!

Featuring Angela Davis / Host of the 2024 Tekne Awards

This year, we are excited to be joined by radio host and journalist Angela Davis who will serve as the emcee for the 2024 Tekne Awards. Davis is the host of MPR News with Angela Davis, a weekday talk show. She joined MPR News in November 2018 after more than 25 years of television reporting and anchoring in the Twin Cities and other cities throughout the country. Davis leads conversations on a wide variety of topics including how the state is changing, Minnesota’s persistent racial disparities, economic issues, education, mental health and the climate crisis.

About Angela

Finalists & Honorees / 15 Awards Across 3 Categories

The Minnesota Technology Association will announce winners of the following Tekne Awards at the gala on November 14, 2024. Expand each award to see the finalists and honorees.

This award celebrates companies that have made notable advancements in the field of artificial intelligence, whether through research, application, or implementation. Finalists demonstrate that they have leveraged AI to create revolutionary solutions, solve complex problems, and push the boundaries of what is possible.

FINALISTS

This award category recognizes outstanding achievements and advancements in safeguarding data integrity, security and confidentiality. Finalists demonstrate excellence in developing and implementing robust measures to protect sensitive information, mitigate risks, and preserve individual privacy rights.

FINALISTS

This award celebrates advancements in the field of data analytics and recognizes organizations that have demonstrated innovation, expertise, and impact in leveraging data to gain valuable insights and drive meaningful outcomes. We seek to honor organizations and teams who have made remarkable contributions to the field, advancing the way data is collected, processed, analyzed, and interpreted.

FINALISTS

This award category acknowledges outstanding achievements in enhancing the overall experience for customers or users. Finalists have successfully transformed their products, services, or platforms to provide exceptional and memorable interactions that exceed customer expectations.

FINALISTS

This award recognizes organizations which have introduced innovations that have caused a significant disruption within a market. We seek to celebrate the visionary leadership and groundbreaking achievements of organizations who have pushed the boundaries of what was previously thought possible and caused a paradigm shift in their industries or service areas.

FINALISTS

This award recognizes a partnership between a vendor or service provider and their client which has produced remarkable results for the client’s business. Finalists have accomplished an exemplary level of collaboration and demonstrate tangible results through working in partnership to address the challenges faced by the client.

FINALISTS

Whether through innovative solutions or impactful collaborations, the Tech for Good award celebrates organizations that have leveraged technology to address critical challenges in our society and create lasting positive change. This award shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of those who have gone above and beyond to create a better future.

FINALISTS

This award recognizes innovative approaches or operating excellence in the hiring, development, and retention of tech talent. This award will recognize organizations for embracing forward-thinking approaches and initiatives, serving as role models for the industry and setting new standards in talent acquisition, management, and development.

FINALISTS

This distinguished award recognizes the impactful programming and initiatives undertaken by solution providers, agencies, and non-profit organizations, aimed at inspiring youth to consider careers in technology and equipping students with the skills and experiences needed for success in this field. Finalists are driving positive change by investing in the future of Minnesota’s tech workforce and contributing to the economic and technological advancement of our state.

FINALISTS

We seek to honor extraordinary leaders in our community for their ability to drive innovation, inspire teams, and make significant contributions to the industry while supporting the growth and career success of other technologists as a mentor, influencer, or role model. Finalists provide effective organizational leadership and demonstrate a positive impact on our next generation of technologists.

FINALISTS

  • Steve Buchanan, Microsoft
  • Justin Grammens, Recursive Awesome, Lab651, Applied AI
  • Yanina Grinberg, Medtronic
  • Greg Larson, Target
  • Amy Patton, SPS Commerce
  • Dr. Michael Wulf, Minnesota STEM Partnership

This award category celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to their field through innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable. Their technical expertise has positioned them as trailblazers and recognized thought leaders within their industry.

RECIPIENT

  • Shantanu Sarkar, Sr. Distinguished Scientists and Bakken Fellow, Medtronic

This award recognizes promising individuals who are early in their tech careers, with less than 10 years of experience, but who have already made remarkable contributions and demonstrated exceptional potential within their technology area.

FINALISTS

  • Kaileigh Hayden, Medtronic
  • Tali Neidenfeuhr, Minnetronix
  • Mariana Verdugo, Collins Aerospace
  • Carrie Wright, Seagate

This award celebrates educators who have helped advance the field of technology education in Minnesota in such a way that their impact reaches beyond just the students they directly serve. Finalists have made remarkable achievements, have unwavering commitment, innovative teaching methods, and profound impact on the field of technology education.

RECIPIENTS

  • Dr. Rajeev Bukralia
  • Dr. Alexandra Holter

This award recognizes elected officials or those working in public agencies for their contributions towards building a stronger future for Minnesota. It recognizes their personal and professional commitment to supporting our technology industry, bolstering the potential economic contributions of tech-enabled businesses and helping foster a thriving technology ecosystem in Minnesota.

RECIPIENT

  • Rep. Steve Elkins

This prestigious award celebrates individuals who have made sustained and significant contributions to Minnesota’s technology industry. Nominees will be reviewed and chosen by the MnTech Executive Committee. Award recipients will be selected based on the indelible mark they have made on our technology community through their career achievements and impact on our broader community.

RECIPIENT

  • Archie Black, CEO (Retired), SPS Commerce

Schedule

4:00 PM – VIP check in and reception

4:45 PM – Tekne event check in and networking

5:30 PM – Guests are seated, dinner begins

6:30 PM – Awards Ceremony

8:00 PM – Afterparty

Ticket Prices / Purchase Individual Tickets or Tables of 10

VIP Table of 10

$3,250

*MnTech Member Price*

A table for 10 guests at the Tekne Awards Gala.
$200 voucher for wine for the table
Preferred seating at the gala
Access to the VIP Reception before the event.

Table of 10

$2,250

*MnTech Member Price*

A table for 10 guests at the Tekne Awards Gala

Individual

$275

*MnTech Member Price*

Individual tickets to the Tekne Awards Gala.

Location

Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Get Directions

Event Sponsors / Supporting Tech Excellence

Presenting Sponsors

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Bronze Sponsors

Limited sponsorship opportunities remain! Click the button below to learn about sponsorship opportunities and benefits.

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Contact Us / Questions?

If you have any questions about the event, awards, sponsorship, or purchasing tickets, please email Molly Doyle at Molly@MnTech.org.