The recent 2023 TechUnited:NJ Better Capital & Catalyst Awards in Asbury Park celebrated the state’s brightest leaders in tech, innovation and entrepreneurship and included a fireside-style chat with Bill Nye “the Science Guy,” a renowned supporter of science in tech.
The Better Capital Conference portion of the June 15 event focused on giving back to entrepreneurs and innovators of all ages – including students from Monmouth University, Stevens Institute, New Jersey Innovation Institute – who had access to hands-on education and tools for winning deals, raising money, networking and growing their businesses in New Jersey.
Later, during the fireside chat moderated by TechUnited:NJ President & CEO Aaron Price, Nye discussed the importance of science, critical thinking and reason in the New Jersey tech as the two recapped the innovative achievements of the eight 2023 award winners.
The winners included:
- TechUnited:NJ Catalyst of Garden State Award winner: Phil Murphy
- TechUnited:NJ Catalyst of Empowerment Award winner: Faith Taylor, Global Sustainability Officer, Kyndryl and President of Women@NJPAC
- TechUnited:NJ Catalyst of Ventures Award winner: the Center for Entrepreneurship at Monmouth University
- TechUnited:NJ Catalyst of Technology Award winner: Vydia
- TechUnited:NJ Catalyst of Leadership Award winner: Sampath Sowmyanarayan, CEO, Verizon Consumer.
- TechUnited:NJ Catalyst of Education Award winner: Fiserv FIN Future Techies STEAM Education Program
- TechUnited:NJ Catalyst of Innovation Award winner: the founding team at Culina Health
- The Martinson-Ballen Award, presented to Jonathan Schultz, CEO, Onyx Equities.
The 2023 TechUnited:NJ Better Capital & Catalyst Awards was part of the monthlong North to Shore Festival of music, film and tech. TechUnited:NJ’s next stop during the North to Shore Festival, is Thursday (June 22) at the BetterX Summit at NJPAC in Newark. The event will feature inspiring talks by global tech leaders, successful founders, and investors, including a keynote by Daymond John, the successful entrepreneur, investor, CEO, author and star of the TV series “Shark Tank.”
