The following criteria should be considered when preparing your two-page nomination letter:

Innovator of the Year Criteria:

• Patents Awarded
• Licenses Executed based on Innovator’s technology
• Industry Collaboration – number of companies engaged, research dollars attracted, resulting patents or licenses, etc.
• Impact – The ultimate sign of a successful innovation is a product on the market that is making an impact.
  • Impact can be measured in a number of ways: enhanced products or services for consumers, products that improve quality of life, products that create new markets, etc.

Dr. John S. Risley Entrepreneur of the Year Criteria:

• Startup activity – the nominee is the founder, co-founder of, or key collaborator for a university startup; nominees research is being or has been commercialized through a startup company
• Impact of companies and/or non-profits launched or supported.
  • The impact can be measured in involvement with new startup companies, the number of jobs created, revenue generated, production of products or services that benefit consumers and/or improve the quality of life, etc.
• Demonstrates the best traits of entrepreneurship, including business creativity and perseverance.
• Entrepreneurial Impact – Encourages entrepreneurialism both on and off campus.