Submit your nominations for the 2025 Keweenaw Community Sparkplug Awards
The Sparkplug Awards is an annual community celebration that recognizes local businesses, organizations, community projects, and individuals for their efforts over the past year. Previous Sparkplug award recipients include MTEC Smartzone clients Waldo Solutions (’23), Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear (’22), ProNav Marine (’17), and Orbion Space Technology (’16) for Transformation/Innovation. MTEC SmartZone is continuously proud and honored to have played a role in helping these clients achieve impactful transformations within the Keweenaw community.
NOMINATIONS
Have you experienced exceptional customer service at a local business? Or witnessed a project that made a significant impact on the community? Do you know a young professional who has made a difference? The Sparkplug Awards is a great way to recognize and appreciate the people and businesses that positively impact your life and community.
Award categories include:
Deadline for nominations is February 12th 2025 therefore submit your nominations today. See the nomination form for category descriptions and please share within your network.
The nominations will be reviewed by the Sparkplug Committee, made up of board members of the hosting organizations. Copper Shores, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, MTEC SmartZone and Keweenaw Young Professionals
AWARDS DINNER
The Awards Dinner will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Memorial Union Building. The evening will kick off with a networking hour, followed by a delicious dinner, a keynote speaker, and, ultimately, the awards ceremony that will honor outstanding individuals and businesses.
This event is open to everyone in the community, and we strongly encourage all to attend. However, tickets are expected to sell out quickly, so we recommend registering soon to ensure you secure your spot
The event is organized and hosted by the Copper Shores, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, MTEC SmartZone and Keweenaw Young Professionals
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About MTEC
Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation (MTEC) is one of 21 SmartZone Incubators in the State of Michigan. MTEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), its mission is to facilitate the creation and ongoing success of high-tech value propositions in conjunction with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since 2003, the MTEC SmartZone has provided mentoring, technical support, and other services to local companies that have led to the creation of over 800 high-tech jobs in the Houghton and Hancock Michigan area.
About MEDC
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state. MEDC’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation initiative establishes Michigan as the place to create and grow a business by providing high-tech start-up companies with access to a variety of critical resources, such as funding and expert counsel, from ideation to maturation. For more on MEDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation, visit michiganbusiness.org/entrepreneurship