Oakdale Company Honored as One of State's 'Best and Brightest'

Imation of Oakdale was one of 15 companies honored as an innovator and technology leader in Minnesota during the 2012 Tekne Awards ceremony on Nov. 1.

The Tekne Awards — which was hosted by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) — honor companies, innovations and individuals with technological breakthroughs that positively impact the lives and futures of people living in Minnesota and all over the world.

“The 2012 recipients epitomize technology and innovation leadership,” said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, president of MHTA. “Over the last 13 years, the Tekne Awards have truly highlighted Minnesota as an emerging technology powerhouse and increased awareness for the innovators and technological front-runners throughout the state.”

Tekne Awards were presented to 15 of Minnesota’s most influential companies in technological innovation, development, commercialization and management. Three of the 12 categories included separate awards for small and growing businesses (with annual revenues under $50 million) and established businesses (with annual revenues of $50 million or more).

Imation received the award from the Computer Hardware adn Electronic Devices category. MHTA sent out the following statement regarding Imation's award: 

Imation, a global data storage and security company, is a leading supplier of both optical media and magnetic tape cartridges used to back-up and archive its customer’s data. Imation unveiled DataGuard, a new scalable storage portfolio of data protection and data archive products designed to help data-intensive, compliance-driven small business retain, retrieve and recover valuable data and digital content. DataGuard is the world’s first data protection appliance to utilize hard drives, removable RDX drives, site-to-site replication and a connection to cloud storage to provide four layers of data protection in a single backup device. DataGuard delivers cost-effective data protection to small businesses with an unprecedented combination of security, simplicity and flexibility.

The MHTA presented 2012 Tekne Awards were also presented to the following recipients:

• Seagate Technology, Advanced Manufacturing category
• SheerWind, Inc., Cleantech and Energy category
• The University of Minnesota Rochester, EdTech category
• Blandin Foundation on behalf of the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) Coalition, Innovative Collaboration of the Year category
• Starkey Hearing Technologies, Life Sciences (Established Company) category
• OrthoCor Medical, Life Sciences (Small and Growing Company) category
• MakeMusic, Inc., Mobile and Communication Technologies category
• ReconRobotics, Inc., Robotics and Automation category
• JAMF Software, LLC, Software (Small and Growing Company) category
• Code 42 Software, Inc., Software (Small and Growing Company) category
• SparkWeave, LLC, Start-Up category
• GiveMN, Technology Excellence in a Non-Profit Organization category
• PeopleNet, Technology Services & Consulting (Established Company) category
• Technology Services & Consulting (Small and Growing Company), Agosto, Inc.

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