Tendril’s Adrian Tuck named ‘Innovator of the Year’ at CCIA’s annual Cleantech Awards

By: steveporter Thursday October 27, 2016 0 comments Tags: Denver, CCIA, CCIA Cleantech Awards, Christine Shapard, Adrian Tuck, Tendril, Stacy Bare, Tom Teynor, Xcel Energy, Lightning Hybrids, Agribotix, John Palizzi, Paul Spencer, Sen. Owen Hill

DENVER -- Adrian Tuck, CEO of Boulder-based Tendril, was named “Innovator of the Year” at the 7^th Annual Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration  in downtown Denver on Wednesday.

Tuck was one of three nominees for the award, edging out John Palizzi, Quantum Renewable Energy president and CEO, and Paul Spencer, Clean Energy Collective founder and CEO.

“We are a 10-year overnight success,” said Tuck in accepting the award from the event’s host, Colorado Cleantech Industries Association (CCIA).

“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of a very patient family and a group of amazing co-workers. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

Tendril makes software that “revolutionize the way energy products and services are marketed and consumed,” according to its website.

The company has grown to 150 employees with offices in North America, Australia and Europe. Tuck said Tendril expects to surpass 200 employees in 2017.

Tuck’s selection was one of five Cleantech Leadership Awards announced by CCIA during a presentation and dinner held at McNichols Civic Center.

Other award winners were:

• High Impact Cleantech Company -- Xcel Energy
• Breakout Cleantech Company -- Lightning Hybrids
• Emerging Cleantech Company -- Agribotix
• Legislator of the Year -- State Senator Owen Hill

Stacy Bare, a director with Sierra Club Outdoors, was keynote speaker for the event, which highlights the state’s cleantech industry.

Bare, an Iraq War veteran who later suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), spoke of his journey from that setback to founding outdoor-based activities to help treat PTSD vets and others through outdoor group programs.

Bare, whose story is featured in the November issue of Outside magazine, said his accomplishments helped him reach a pinnacle of personal satisfaction.

“Honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life,” he said. “It’s easy to feel good about what you’ve done.”

However, Bare said innovators and entrepreneurs should not rest on their laurels but instead keep pushing forward, even when they discover a dream that can’t be reached.

“I had to let go of dreams I’d had for several years,” he said. “You have to allow for your dreams to change.”

Bare said that led him to blending outdoor experiences like climbing and skiing with health care. He said he’s now looking for ways to get the health care community to recommend outdoor activities as part of a treatment regimen for those suffering from PTSD through war or difficult personal circumstances.

“This is actually the future of medicine,” he said. “I think we’ve changed many lives, and we want to test outside activity in clinical trials.”

Bare said his path to innovation was a very personal one.

“For me, the process of innovation just started with trying to save myself.”

Also recognized Wednesday were three companies from the Rocky Mountain Region of the national Clean Tech Open program.

Selected from 12 finalists, they are:

• Big Blue Technologies, Colorado
• Crystal Clear Technologies, Arizona
• Urbix Resources, Arizona

The companies will go on to compete at the organization’s Global Forum event in February.

Christine Shapard, CCIA executive director, said the annual Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration is an effort to spotlight the outstanding leaders and companies in the state’s cleantech industry.

“I just want to congratulate all of the winners and all of the nominees," said Shapard. "They’re bringing attention to Colorado and our industry.”

Tom Teynor, CCIA’s board vice chairman and CEO of Coolerado, echoed that view.

“Colorado is one of the top 5 states for clean energy and development,” he said.

“It’s important to recognize the progress we’ve made, and this event does just that.”

Sponsors of this year’s event included the Colorado Energy Office, Wells Fargo, Metro Denver, EKS&H, Denver Water, Chubb, newresourcebank, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, Xcel Energy, Lightning Hybrids, Clear Comfort, VAIREX, Navigant and InnovatioNews.

About the Author: steveporter

Steve Porter, editor of InnovatioNews, has more than 20 years of newspaper experience in reporting, editing and managing news organizations. Steve brings a deep knowledge of the Colorado business landscape and award-winning writing and editing skills to the project.