2012 GSDC Innovation Awards

A major strategic focus of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation is to foster and promote innovative thinking amongst area businesses. But how can the GSDC recognize and highlight those area businesses that are driving innovation?

Introducing the I-Award!
In the spirit of collaboration and to foster a culture of innovation, the GSDC has partnered with the Center for Non-Profit Excellence and Social Innovation (CNESI) to create the I-Award for For-Profit organizations.

The GSDC Innovation Award, or I-Award, will recognize St. Cloud area for-profit organizations employing innovation to solve problems and create opportunities.

How we define Innovation
Innovation will be defined as a new product, service, practice, technology, or business model which is a fresh take on solving a challenge, has been implemented, has improved the experience of a customer group or business, and has been monetized (turned into revenue) for a for-profit business organization.

Eligibility - Who Can Apply:
* For-Profit organizations located within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of the greater St. Cloud area. A local phone call from St. Cloud would put you within the area.
* For-profit organizations that have generated revenue from an “Innovative” idea within the last 2 years.
* Applicants must be able to tell us why it was innovative for their organization or market.

The payoff
The winner of the 2012 GSDC I-Award will receive a monetary award of $1,000 as recognition of their innovation.

We're sorry!
The August 31, 2012 deadline for submitting your I-Award application has now passed.

The GSDC will announce the winner of the 2012 I-Award at the Innovations Summit on September 25, 2012. For more information or with questions, Contact us.