Waltham, MA -- Nine organizations, including profit and nonprofit entities, were honored at the 25th annual SBANE New England Innovation Award (NEIA) festivities last evening at the Westin Hotel here. As further evidence that innovation can thrive in any field of endeavor, the winners represent firms in such diverse fields as regenerative medicine, software development, organic waste treatment, textiles, dry-erase paint technology, youth services, food packaging, plastics industry and science education.

Black Duck Software, Waltham, Mass. - Provides solutions to enable more efficient and effective development of software through the use of open source code (www.blackducksoftware.com).
 
Established in 1986, the NEIA program recognizes companies that have transformed innovative ideas into products and services that deliver proven value to customers. More than 160 companies have been honored over the past 25 years, representing the variety and strength of New England’s business community. The NEIA program has a special category, called Rising Star that recognizes early-stage companies that are largely pre-revenue in their development.
 
Dr. Sophie Vandebroek, chief technology officer and president of the Xerox (Corp.) Innovation Group, was keynote speaker at last evening’s gala event, which attracted approximately 450 business professionals. Dr. Vandebroek presented a case study in innovation and technology at Xerox, which draws heavily on the firm’s commitment to employee and workplace diversity and extensive use of partnerships with other companies to fuel Xerox’s enduring global success.
 
SBANE received 185 nominations for this year’s NEIA program, the most ever. Twenty finalists were announced on April 6, and made presentations before the SBANE panel of 49 judges at Henderson House, Weston, Mass., on April 13.