THE BACKYARD AWARDS CELEBRATION
THE BACKYARD AWARDS CELEBRATION
As entrepreneurs succeed, we all succeed.
October 5th @ 11:30am
October 5th @ 11:30am
ATTEND BACKYARD AWARDS
The Backyard Awards is a high-energy experience that will convene and celebrate the Greater Sacramento Region’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem during the GFX2023 conference.
Unity is a valuable asset.
Nobody builds a truly great company…or innovation ecosystem alone.
These awards recognize those in our Backyard who are in the trenches working hard to create opportunity for themselves, their families, their companies, and our communities.
They have rolled up their sleeves to build successful businesses, bring world changing innovations to market, invest in the future, or contribute valuable time and expertise and they have done it with grit and with love.
Join us as we unite to celebrate their success!
AWARDS CATEGORIES AND FINALISTS
AWARDS CATEGORIES
GOLDEN GEAR (aka Backyard Love)
Most inspiring or impactful startup founder or business, civic or community leader who is driving transformative work related to the startup and venture ecosystem with LOVE.
Finalists: Rachel Zilner, Clutch; Mac Clemmens, Streamline; Brandon Robinson, Tipsy Putt
SAGE AWARD
Advisors, mentors, and experts who make everyone around them better by generously sharing their knowledge and making connections. They are tireless in their investment of meaningful time and intellectual and social capital.
Finalists: Kim Box; Sonny Mayugba; DJ Stephan
CORPORATE INNOVATION
Local corporations who are building or sourcing disruptive innovation to drive business outcomes and contribute to regional competitiveness.
Finalists: Sacramento Kings; SMUD; Placer Waste Management
ECOSYSTEM BUILDER AWARD
Companies or organizations that invest with money, time, and resources in building the entrepreneurial ecosystem to benefit all founders and our region.
Finalists: Ansync Labs; City of Roseville; City of Sacramento
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Individual or Fund that has made significant investments through money or time in “Backyard” companies.
Finalists: Steve Mills; Venkata Nuli; Mike Barreiro
BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION
Celebrating impactful companies delivering innovative solutions to important problems and building high performing teams with a strong local presence.
Finalists: Origin Materials; Ariz Precision Medicine; Advanced Farm
EARLY STAGE
Celebrating Traction up to Series A as measured by revenue, team growth, fundraising success and local offices, local team members. Must have product in market with paying customers demonstrating meaningful revenue and user growth.
Finalists: App Orchid; Onsight; Eyerate
GROWTH STAGE
Celebrating growth beyond Series A as measured by revenue and team growth, fundraising success, local impact, global reach, CAP table – must meet minimum ARR and money raised to qualify.
Finalists: Sibros; Reviver; Nivagen Pharmaceuticals
EXIT OF THE YEAR
Celebrating wins of companies that have grown here from early days. This will be a year-by-year call depending on if there are compelling candidates.
Finalists: Aumni
GOLDEN GEAR (aka Backyard Love)
Most inspiring or impactful startup founder or business, civic or community leader who is driving transformative work related to the startup and venture ecosystem with LOVE.
SAGE AWARD
Advisors, mentors, and experts who make everyone around them better by generously sharing their knowledge and making connections. They are tireless in their investment of meaningful time and intellectual and social capital.
CORPORATE INNOVATION
Local corporations who are building or sourcing disruptive innovation to drive business outcomes and contribute to regional competitiveness.
ECOSYSTEM BUILDER AWARD
Companies or organizations that invest with money, time, and resources in building the entrepreneurial ecosystem to benefit all founders and our region.
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
Individual or Fund that has made significant investments through money or time in “Backyard” companies.
BREAKTHROUGH INNOVATION
Celebrating impactful companies delivering innovative solutions to important problems and building high performing teams with a strong local presence.
EARLY STAGE
Celebrating Traction up to Series A as measured by revenue, team growth, fundraising success and local offices, local team members. Must have product in market with paying customers demonstrating meaningful revenue and user growth.
GROWTH STAGE
Celebrating growth beyond Series A as measured by revenue and team growth, fundraising success, local impact, global reach, CAP table – must meet minimum ARR and money raised to qualify.
EXIT OF THE YEAR
Celebrating wins of companies that have grown here from early days. This will be a year-by-year call depending on if there are compelling candidates.
ACQUISITION OF THE YEAR
Big Deal of the year
AVAILABLE PASSES
Backyard Advantage Lunch
$ 35
- Backyard Advantage Lunch ONLY
- 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
- Presented by Stoel Rives
General Admission + Lunch
$ 159
- General admission pass to GFX 2023 & Backyard Awards Lunch
Table Sponsor
$ 3500
- Reserved Lunch Table for 10
- Includes 10 GFX Tickets
- VIP Lounge Access
For more information about GFX 2023, click here.
Secure Your Seat Today
Locations
Main Stage
- Featuring presentations & conversations with Entrepreneurial & Venture Thought Leaders
Second Stage
- Featuring pitches from early-stage entrepreneurs
- Conversations with successful entrepreneurs
Conversations
- Featuring topics for investors, innovators & entrepreneurs like:
- Emerging Managers & Next Gen VC Activating new capital through SPVs
- Global Mapping of Food Genomics Robot as a Service
- Access to Lab Space in Secondary Markets
- Parenting while building a company
- Staying Mentally & Physically Fit throughout the Founder’s Journey Life after Exit
Our Backyard
- Tradeshow floor featuring:
- 40+ startups
- Corporate innovation partners
- Civic innovators
- Entrepreneurial Service Organizations
- University programs