Nominate your colleagues, organizations, or self-nominate for the Maryland Tech Council’s 36th annual ICON Awards. The ICON Awards honors the best in Maryland’s technology and life sciences communities. Nominations open today and will run through January 26th. You do not need to be an MTC member to nominate. All companies and individuals that work in Maryland are eligible.

Chief Executive Officer of the Year

• Government Contracting
• Life Sciences
• Technology

Criteria

• An outstanding leader and communicator
• An integral part of the firm’s growth and/or profitability
• An individual skilled at taking calculated risks that lead to success
• A leader in the technology or life science community

Company of the Year

• Life Science Company
• Technology Company

Criteria

• Innovative products and services relevant to the market
• Strong long-term prospects for business
• Evidence of market details including: market penetration, potential/proven impact on the market, and positive influence on the marketplace
• Achieved significant, measurable success
• Achieved significant, measurable success (e.g., research or technical breakthrough or product approval)
• Achieved significant business milestones (e.g., merger, acquisition, license, major funding, revenue)
• Crisply executed its business plan
• Helped foster a vibrant life science community
• Participated/sponsored industry activities and programs

Company of the Year

Government Contracting

• Up to $50 Million
• $50 Million and Above

Criteria

• Achieved measurable success as evidenced by growth in revenue and profitability either through organic growth or acquisition
• Developed critical expertise in its service to the government
• Improved the level of service or cut costs of either the government or a prime contractor
• Demonstrated success in partnering with other contracting firms in the region
• Made contributions to national security

Emerging Company of the Year (Revenue under $25,000,000)

• Life Science Company
• Technology Company

Criteria

• Strong strategic direction that will clearly differentiate this company from others in their chosen market space
• Ability to develop innovative products or services
• Technology based development that represents a disruptive technology, a platform technology, or is targeting a critical market need
• Demonstrated ability to attract resources and growth in financial performance

C-Suite Awards

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or the controller / financial leader
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO/CIO) or the technology executive
• Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Chief Legal Officer (CLO)
• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
• Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)
• Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)
• Chief Security Officer (CSO)
• Chief Scientific Officer (CSO)

Criteria

• Must be a direct support to the CEO
• Has offered insights and contributed to key decisions than launched your company to the next level
• Has advanced and contributed to the success of the company.
• Advanced and shown leadership within the industry to which your company belongs and or the area of company operations.

Deal of the Year (Formerly Known as Investor of the Year)

This category will award the single most impressive overall M&A deal announced in 2022 celebrating an investor group, private equity firm or management team. The MTC judging panel will look for transactions that were first movers in their markets, overcame overwhelming obstacles, set the tone for a market or laid a template for future transactions. Deciding factors may include challenging dealmaking dynamics (including cross-border or multiparty issues, or regulatory, shareholder, political or other complexities) or innovative approaches or solutions. Additional selection criteria will include factors such as transaction accomplishments, and impact on market share, industry, and impact in Maryland.