Competition for the 2017 James Tyree Emerging Business Leadership Award is now down to three businesses. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce gives the award annually to an up-and-coming Chicago business that has demonstrated growth and philanthropic values. The award includes a $50,000 cash prize to fuel further business growth, compliments of Mesirow Financial and The PrivateBank.
The final three businesses/entrepreneurs (in alphabetical order) in contention for the 6th Annual Tyree Award are:
- Fort Knox Studios/2112 – Dan Mahoney Sr.
- Inverom/Innova UEV – Roman Kuropas
- North Shore Exchange – Wendy Serrino
Competition for the 2017 Tyree Award began with more than 30 applicants. Twelve advanced to a “Shark Tank”-like pitch event on April 12th (photos of the event can be viewed and downloaded here), at which a panel of judges and a voting audience narrowed the field down to six. The final three businesses were chosen after individual meetings with the Tyree judging panel. The next step is one final pitch to the judges. The winner of the Tyree Award will be announced at the Chicagoland Chamber’s 113th Annual Meeting on June 6th at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
The Chicagoland Chamber and Mesirow Financial launched the Tyree Award in 2012 in memory of Jim Tyree, who had served as Chairman and CEO of Mesirow Financial, and Chairman of the Chicagoland Chamber. Jim Tyree passed away in 2011. A video about the James Tyree Award can be viewed and downloaded here.