2024 Oregon Tech Award Winners

The Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) is pleased to announce that the 40th Annual Oregon Tech Awards took place on Monday, May 6, 2024, at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), which was recently named the best science museum in the country in the 2024 Newsweek Reader’s Choice Awards. Presenting sponsors are United Healthcare, Cushman & Wakefield, and Vernier Science Foundation. The event was hosted by Oregon Public Broadcasting Science Reporter Jes Burns.

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For forty years, Oregon Technology Awards (OTAs) have celebrated excellence and achievement in the region's technology industry. This year’s event will recognize eight companies, three teachers, and one student of the year for their accomplishments, leadership, and commitment to the industry and community. This year’s OTAs presented an in-person look at TAO’s recent rebrand, which features a new forest green color scheme that draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the region and reflects TAO’s maturity, expanded influence, and unwavering commitment to the Pacific Northwest’s tech community.

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Presented to companies headquartered in Oregon or SW Washington who have had a significant impact on Oregon’s technology industry in the past year, including financial, employment and community factors. These awards celebrate excellence and achievement within the region’s vibrant technology community. The winning companies represent a wide spectrum of industries at diverse levels of maturity, from rising stars to established enterprises. 

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Winners include:

- Pre-Revenue: ABILITY Digital Accessibility co. 

- Emerging: Edge Networks

- Rising Star: Eclypsium

- Accelerate: Leanpath

- Growth: Valaurum, Inc.

- Momentum: LegitScript

- Enterprise: Intel & A-dec

- Most Disruptive: Paxton AI

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TechStart annually honors three outstanding K-12 Oregon and SW Washington technology educators with the Technology Educator of the Year Award, which comes with a cash stipend of $1,000 for their classroom to spend on tech education materials including hardware, software, services, or curriculum.

Technology Educator of the Year - K-8: Jacob Niebergall, Sunset School Coos Bay

Technology Educator of the Year - High School: Corey Culp, McKenzie River Community School

Technology Educator of the Year - Rising Star: Stephanie Partlow, Woodburn Highschool

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TechStart recognizes a Student of the Year and two runners-up among high school juniors and seniors. The award includes a $2,500 scholarship that can be applied to educational expenses and associated costs.

Technology Student of the Year - Dwayne Wallace, Warrenton High School

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Student Showcase: Twelve student teams showcasing games they have created: Our goal is to showcase the diversity of our K-12 technology students and show off projects to leaders of Oregon’s top tech companies.

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“We’re proud and honored to celebrate the companies whose breakthrough ideas, technologies and business models have made our region a global hub for innovation,” said TAO President and CEO Skip Newberry. “Gathering in person after a few years of tumult was an especially great way to showcase the Oregon tech community’s accomplishments, our region’s resilience, and the personal connections that bring and hold us together.” Now in its 40th year, the Oregon Technology Awards recognize the state’s most noteworthy technology companies and outstanding leaders in the Oregon and Southwest Washington community. This year’s annual event was presented by Vernier Science Education Cushman &Wakefield and United Healthcare.

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View photos from the event here: https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/818b622d63d34887b97465ef3a6646df

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About the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO)

The Technology Association of Oregon is the preeminent organization dedicated to promoting growth, innovation, and leadership within the Pacific Northwest's tech industry. Since its transformation from the Software Association of Oregon, TAO has been at the forefront of advocating for education, policy, and community engagement, representing the interests and aspirations of technology companies and professionals across the region. For more information about TAO, its initiatives, and how to become a member, please visit https://www.techoregon.org/

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