The Next Awards for entrepreneurship, sponsored by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC), with presenting sponsor Lipscomb University College of Business, were announced Nov. 17. Here are excerpts from the sponsors' subsequent press release:

"There is tremendous energy in Nashville in starting new companies and taking small businesses to the next level," said Nashville Mayor Megan Barry. "We see that energy in the wide range of companies honored by the Next Awards and in their willingness to share the lessons they've learned along the road to success."

"Nashville has really gotten the attention of organizations that measure entrepreneurial activity, like the Brookings Institution," said Ralph Schulz, president and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. "They recognize the region's business community understands and assesses risk and really supports entrepreneurs with viable ideas."

"I never fail to be amazed by the willingness of these successful business people to share their stories and help other startups trying to follow the same path," said Michael Brody-Waite, president and CEO of the EC. "Even large companies understand the important role entrepreneurs play in keeping our region's economy growing and vibrant."

Next Awards are given in five business categories at two stages of development -- startup and market mover -- in addition to nine specific awards for contributions to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The winners of the 2016 Next Awards are:

Nashville's Choice Award - Groups360

Entrepreneurial Partner of the Year - UBS

Young Entrepreneur of 2016 - Matt Cheuvront, Proof Branding

Entrepreneur of 2016 - Dan Hogan, Medalogix

Mentor of the Year - Julia Polk, New Ventures Consulting

Game-Changer Award - Jammber, Inc.

Business Culture Award - DSi

Intrapreneurial Culture of the Year - Edgenet

Funder of the Year - InCrowd Capital

Startup (digital media and entertainment) - Made In Network

Startup (health care) - Stratasan

Startup (products and services) - Inflammo

Startup (social enterprise and sustainability) - REBOOT Combat Recovery

Startup (technology) - iCitizen

Market Mover (digital media and entertainment) - SnapShot Interactive

Market Mover (health care) - Bernard Health

Market Mover (products and services) - A Head For Profits

Market Mover (social enterprise and sustainability) - Knowledge Academies, Inc

Market Mover (technology) - Edgenet

Additional information and photos will be available at www.nextawardsnashville.com. [###]

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