Tekne Awards Celebrate DEED as a Leader in Innovation
November 21, 2019
DEED Commissioner Steve Grove attended the 2019 Tekne Awards, presented by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA). Nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs, policy makers, educators and business leaders from across the state gathered for the annual awards ceremony, which celebrates innovation in Minnesota. Since 1998, the Tekne awards have been presented to Minnesota’s leading advanced manufacturing, IT, health care and agricultural technology firms, and entrepreneurs.
Commissioner Grove received an award for public service, along with Minnesota State Senator Eric Pratt, who serves as the Assistant Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Senate Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy Committee. Senator Pratt earned the Tekne Public Service Award for his work to bring back Minnesota’s Angel Tax Credit, and his support of the SciTech Internship Program. Commissioner Grove accepted an award on behalf of DEED for the agency’s work to reinstate the Angel Tax Credit, expand broadband throughout the state, and kickoff Launch Minnesota, which aims to expand Minnesota’s innovation ecosystem.