More than 100 entrepreneurs, advisers, investors, students and alumni gathered on May 5, 2016 for our second annual Rudy Awards ceremony. This year’s Awards were especially meaningful, as they marked the 30th anniversary of the Dingman Center and its community. Prime movers in the history of the Center were in attendance, including founding donor Michael Dingman and his family, along with first director Charlie Heller and former director Asher Epstein. Under their lasting influence, the Dingman Center network has grown many new branches. The Rudy Awards are not only a way to honor members of each branch, but to allow the entire Dingman center community to celebrate with each other, united in their passion for entrepreneurship. Congratulations to the following award winners.
2016 Rudy Awards Winners
Research Honors
Yang Pan PhD ’17 – Winner
Yuan Shi PhD ’18 – Winner
Faculty Award
David Kressler – Winner
Joseph Bailey
Evan Starr
Mentor of the Year
Polly Vail – Winner
Drew Bewick ’88
Paul Capriolo ’06
Bob London ’83
Rashad Moore
Angel Investor of the Year
Bill Boyle ’81 – Winner
Hilton Augustine
Joshua Goldberg
Vadim Polikov
Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year
Ali von Paris ’12, Route One Apparel – Winner
Eric Golman ’15, Javazen
Matt Furstenburg ’11, Grip Boost
Evan Lutz ’14, Hungry Harvest
Manpreet Singh ’03, TalkLocal
Social Entrepreneur of the Year
Alexis Carson ’16, Cocoa Queens – Winner
Nadia Laniyan ’16, Cocoa Queens – Winner
Robin Chiddo ’06, Love Blanket Project
Anastasiia Polyakov ’17, Annie’s Children
Oru Wonodi ’18, NOVA Prints and Apparel
Student Entrepreneur of the Year
Sam Feldman ’16, Cardbuddy – Winner
Damar Bess ’18, Nonich
Taylor Johnson ’16, VentureStorm
Tommy Johnson ’16, VentureStorm
Ryan Pillai ’17, WeCook
Daniel Stern ’16, Route One Ventures