The third annual Rhode Island Innovation Awards (presented by the Providence Business News in partnership with the RIEDC and Tech Collective, and sponsored by Cox Business) are designed to honor Rhode Island-based companies, organizations and individuals that constantly replace existing methods, models and products with better ones.

Past winners include several info-tech and digital media organizations and entrepreneurs such as: Matt Grigsby, developer of Ecolect.net, a free website that helps those interested in sustainable design source sustainable materials; Brian Jepson and Jack Templin, Co-Founders of Providence Geeks; and Item Group, a product design firm that does everything from hardware to software to firmware.

Innovation Awards winners will be honored at the annual Tech Laureates Night, held at Kirkbrae Country Club on September 18, and will be published in a Providence Business News special report released in September.

Awards include: 

• Innovation of the Year
• Innovation Champion
• Collaborative Innovation Leader
• Innovator of the Year
• Rising Star Innovator
• Student Innovator
• Innovation Champion

To apply, fill out the short application form. It's due by August 20. Good luck!