Vogt Awards reward innovative companies with funding; create opportunities for growth
Application Deadline is September 30th
Louisville, KY (9/15/09) – ENTERPRISECORP, the enterprise development arm of Greater Louisville Inc., and The Community Foundation of Louisville are accepting entries for the 2009 Vogt Awards. Intended to recognize excellence in product innovation and inspire inventors to see their ideas reach full potential, the Vogt Awards provide up to $250,000 annually in grants. The infusion of cash into local businesses at critical growth points helps winners reach the next level of performance and fuels the regional economy. This year’s deadline to submit an application is September 30.
Since its inception in 2001, the Vogt Awards have invested more than $1.5M in awards to 18 early stage companies.
One of last year’s Vogt Award winners, NaugaNeedles LLC, a high tech, nano technology company, received $120,000. NaugaNeedles CEO Dr. Mehdi M. Yazdanpanah credits the award for helping to grow his business and attract new investors.
“Our Vogt Award is one of the main reasons NaugaNeedles exists today,” said Dr. Yazdanpanah. “The win helped us to secure a 5-year lease investment, purchase equipment, start our fabrication line, and attend conferences that generated new revenue,” he said.
The award is made possible by an endowment from Henry Vogt Heuser Sr., former president of Henry Vogt Machine Company. The award memorializes the Vogt entrepreneurial tradition by providing engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs with grant money to fund the product development and commercialization of their ideas.
Recipients are selected using criteria such as innovation, technical excellence, strategic business planning, competitive positioning, potential market value, time to market, and anticipated social/economic benefits for the Greater Louisville area. Applications for the 2009 Vogt Awards is open online until September 30. To apply go to http://www.vogtawards.com/apply_now/apply_now.htm
Henry Vogt Heuser Sr.
Henry Vogt Heuser Sr. (1914-1999), corporate leader and philanthropist, was a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He received a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in 1936 and spent his entire career at the Henry Vogt Machine Company, where he served as president for 28 years. His passion for ideas led to the creation of an endowment that would provide a critical infusion of cash for innovators and entrepreneurs.
About The Community Foundation of Louisville
The Community Foundation of Louisville manages a growing collection of more than 1,100 charitable funds established by people, businesses and organizations that care about our region. During fiscal year 2008, the Community Foundation awarded more than 7,300 grants totaling more than $25 million. Since 1984, total grants have exceeded $410 million. For more information about The Community Foundation, please visit www.CFLouisville.org.
About ENTERPRISECORP
ENTERPRISECORP is a division of Greater Louisville Inc. specializing in the development of the region’s fast-growth entrepreneurial sector. ENTERPRISECORP has helped 60 clients secure over $65 Million in financing, and six clients have experienced $150 Million of liquidity. The division is currently serving a portfolio of over 200 clients with high potential for growth. For more information on ENTERPRISECORP, please visit www.ENTERPRISECORP.com.
