Boulder Chamber announces 2015 Esprit Entrepreneur winners

BOULDER —The company that created the BB-8 Droid that is based on a droid in the latest Star Wars movie, “The Force Awakens,” will receive the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Boulder Chamber at Esprit Entrepreneur, Nov. 18.

Boulder-based Sphero, formerly Orbotix Inc. and led by chief executive Paul Berberian, is being honored for demonstrating innovative spirit, determination and values that exemplify the Boulder community’s brand of entrepreneurship.

Having graduated from Techstars in 2010 as Orbotix, Sphero has created a new category of app-enabled connected play toys.

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Other winners to be honored are:

Entrepreneur Legacy Award — Dave Query, founder of the Big Red F Restaurant Group, for building a lasting tradition of success, bold vision and values that is a model for other entrepreneurs and businesses to follow.

Entrepreneurial Community Builder Award — Peter Grant Johnson, for his work and volunteer service as he helped shape Boulder’s entrepreneurial culture that drives the innovative spirit. Before his passing and still today, Johnson is renowned as a “Champion for Good,” bringing people together to build a better community. Johnson was an Olympian, business trailblazer and networking czar of the Van Heyst Group.

The awards will be presented during the Esprit Entrepreneur event in the new Touchdown Club at the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field.

The chamber also will crown the winner of the Esprit Venture Challenge to be selected at the event. This year, startup social entrepreneurs will compete for cash prizes by demonstrating how they will do good while doing well: using their business skills to help solve big problems. The winner will be selected by audience vote at the Esprit Entrepreneur celebration, Nov.18.

Learn more here.

On Nov. 19, NewCo Boulder will feature onsite presentations at local businesses that embody the area’s innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.

For more information about the Esprit Entrepreneur event and to register, go here.

This year’s sponsors for Esprit Entrepreneur include Elevations Credit Union, the University of Colorado Boulder, EKS&H business advisors, Colorado PERA, Terrapin Care Station, Google, Anthem BlueCross Blue Shield, BizWest, the Daily Camera, Metzger Albee Public Relations, bivio and Hazel’s Beverage World.