News

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.  (February 12, 2019) — TechPoint, the nonprofit, industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s technology ecosystem, announced the nominees for its 20th annual Mira Awards presented by Angie’s List and Salesforce. The Mira Awards gala—the biggest tech awards event in the state—celebrates the people, products, companies, and places chosen as ‘The Best of Tech in Indiana’. Last year a sell-out crowd of 1,300 people attended the black-tie affair.

Six Feet Up is a nominee in the Community Champion of the Year category, which recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the advancement of Indiana’s tech community, even though they may not even work in the industry. A complete list of the nominees competing for the state’s top technology honors in the 2019 Mira Awards is available at techpoint.org/mira.

Indiana’s tech ecosystem is on the rise. According to the TEConomy study commissioned by CICP, Clusters & Disruptors: Envisioning Central Indiana’s Economic Future in a Time of Change, IT companies generated by far the fastest employment growth from 2010-2016 (67%). Further, in 2017, LinkedIn and Zillow ranked Indianapolis No. 1 in America’s Sweet Spots: Cities where Job Opportunity and Housing Affordability Intersect.

The growth is evident among Mira Awards nominees. Only a handful of the 2019 nominees existed as companies 20 years ago, and 82 percent were founded in just the past 10 years. Similar to the rapid adoption of the iPhone starting a decade ago and streaming services today, tech businesses in Indiana have grown from a few pioneers to a fast growing, vibrant industry that is a key driver of job growth and a critical part of the state’s economic success story.

“There is little doubt that tech will continue to be an area of significant growth for Indiana, as we see local tech companies growing, out-of-state companies opening offices here, and large enterprises from other industries becoming increasingly tech enabled,” said Mike Langellier, CEO of TechPoint. “This is a special year, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mira Awards, and we look forward to recognizing the people, companies, and places that are Indiana’s current and future success stories.”

Nominees were selected by 48 independent subject matter experts who evaluated and ranked the applications. Later this month, nominees will present their cases to judging panels, after which the judges will select the winners following deliberations.

In addition to the 12 adjudicated categories, a special industry recognition award -- the TechPoint Trailblazer Award — is announced prior to the Mira Awards gala in April, which is selected by the TechPoint board of directors and executive committee.

Winners will be announced at a black-tie awards ceremony and gala featuring a reception and three-course seated dinner on Saturday, April 13, at the JW Marriott — Indianapolis. Early-bird and “Under 30” tickets go on sale March 1, at techpoint.org/mira.