Five central Iowa small businesses were recognized at the Sixth Annual Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Small Business Awards ceremony recently held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the Ankeny Campus. The DMACC Small Business Awards recognize business leaders having a meaningful and lasting impact on the economic landscape in Central Iowa.
The winners include:
Most Innovative Company—PowerPollen, an Ankeny-based advanced yield enhancement technology company that enables higher productivity in seed and grand production. The award recognizes a cutting-edge company transforming an industry or making significant improvements in a particular process and developed a unique approach, product or service resulting in a strategic advantage in the marketplace.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year—Pingora Outdoors, an outdoor apparel and gear store located in Ankeny that inspires all levels of experience to get outside. The award recognizes a person 40 years of age or younger who shows evidence of success as measured by sales and profits, demonstrates development and utilization of innovative or creative business methods and exhibits entrepreneurial potential for long-term success.
Dennis Albaugh Award—Below Farm & Auto Restoration, a Hubbard small business that restores vehicles and provides unique paint and auto body repairs. The award recognizes a person who has completed a minimum of 12 credit hours or received a degree, certificate or diploma from DMACC and makes a significant impact in their local community.
Top Growth Company—LaunchIT, is a software development company in Urbandale that builds IT solutions for its clients. The award recognizes a company that demonstrates growth in number of employees, displays an increase in sales and/or unit volume, exhibits staying power, employs five to 200 employees and earns at least $500,000 in sales.
Small Business of the Year—CJM Financial, Inc. is an Ankeny company that helps large and small companies manage and control their businesses by using a company’s receivables through simple invoice factoring. This award recognizes a company that demonstrates growth in the number of employees, displays an increase in sales/and or unit volume, exhibits staying power, demonstrates innovativeness of product or service, provides contributions to aid community-related projects, employs five to 200 employees and earns at least $1 million in sales.
"This is a signature event and honorees over the years have proven themselves worthy of recognition by distinguishing themselves based on a series of objective measures," said Vada Grantham, Chair of DMACC’s Entrepreneurship Program.
