Who is an Innovator? Do’s and Don’ts of a Quality Nomination
Applications for the 2024 Society’s Innovators Awards are open.
What makes someone an innovator? Know a Northwest Indiana innovator who deserves to be recognized? Or maybe it’s you!
Who is eligible to be nominated?
Remember these important facts:
- Today, every sector – education and government, business and industry, and the nonprofit community – has to be innovative. Nominations from all sectors and industries are encouraged.
- Anyone can be an innovator! Previous inductees into the Society of Innovators range from high school students to older retirees. Nominations are encouraged or innovators of all ages, backgrounds, races and experiences.
- Any individual who lives or works in Northwest Indiana is eligible for consideration. Teams from an individual company, government unit, not-for-profit agency, or a group of organizations from a specific project will be considered. Not all team members must be located in Northwest Indiana, but the team leader should be based here to be eligible.
Nomination Criteria
While the awards recognize the people behind the work, our selection committee will also examine the innovations these people are responsible for.
An innovation should meet the following criteria:
- It provides a new solution. Does the innovation address a need, problem or opportunity in a new or unique way?
- It benefits society. What value or benefit does the innovation bring to the end user?
- It creates value. Is there any quantifiable evidence of success for the innovation such as revenue generated, patents received, cost savings incurred, grants received, media coverage, etc?
- Technology is often linked with innovation, but it is not a requisite. Oftentimes, technology is simply the tool or medium being used to solve problems or add value. Nominations are encouraged for innovations that provide a new solution, with or without a technology component.
Nominations are being accepted through Friday, August 30. Anyone who lives or works in Northwest Indiana is eligible for consideration. All applications must be submitted through the online form on the Society of Innovators’ website. There is no fee to nominate and self-nominations are encouraged.
Nominate an Individual Innovator
The Individual Innovator inductee category recognizes the individuals behind Northwest Indiana’s most innovative products, services and initiatives. To be considered, the individual’s innovation must have been developed in the Northwest Indiana region in the last 4 years.
Nominate an Individual Innovator
Nominate an Innovation Team
More often than not, innovation is a team sport. The Team Innovator inductee category recognizes the teams behind Northwest Indiana’s most innovative products, services and initiatives. To be considered, the team’s innovation must have been developed in the Northwest Indiana region in the last 4 years. Teams from an individual company, government unit, not-for-profit agency, or a group of organizations from a specific project are eligible for consideration. Up to 5 team members may be included in the nomination.
Nominate an Innovation Advocate
The Advocate for Innovation inductee category recognizes individuals or teams who embody the mission of the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest. These leaders contribute to economic and community development throughout the region as they actively drive innovation in Northwest Indiana by connecting people and ideas.
There does not have to be a specific innovation connected to our Advocate inductees, but rather that there is evidence this is a person or team who helps make innovation happen in our region.
Nominate an Innovation Advocate
Nominate a Youth Innovation Advocate
The Advocate for Youth Innovation inductee category recognizes individuals who embody the mission of the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest to drive entrepreneurship and innovation in Northwest Indiana. Specifically, these are the educators and community leaders who are teaching and developing our region’s next generation of innovators.There does not have to be a specific innovation connected to our Advocate inductees, but rather that there is evidence this is a person who is making a valuable impact through youth entrepreneurship and innovation activities.
Nominate a Youth Innovation Advocate
Celebrating Northwest Indiana Innovation!
Now in its 20th year, the Society of Innovators celebrates the spirit of creativity and ingenuity by discovering, honoring and celebrating innovators from across the seven-county region of Northwest Indiana. Dedicated to the idea that anyone can be an innovator; the Society recognizes that innovation is the key to 21st century competitiveness.