Thirty-six immigrants who founded businesses in Massachusetts were nominated for The Immigrant Learning Center’s Third Annual Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards. They represent outstanding business leaders from across the commonwealth in four business categories: neighborhood, growth, life science and high-tech.

The 2014 winner in each category will be announced at the Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards Dinner on May 8, 2014, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, Mass., with master of ceremonies Richard A. Davey, Jr., secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) board trustee. Ticket and sponsorship information is available at http://www.ilctr.org/events.

According to Immigrant Learning Center research, 26 percent of biotechnology companies in New England have at least one foreign-born founder. These founders not only create jobs, they make significant breakthroughs that impact the health and wellbeing of us all. Among the nominees for 2014 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year in Life Science is:
 
Pravin Chaturvedi
IndUS Pharmaceuticals, Woburn

Dr. Pravin Chaturvedi founded IndUS Pharmaceuticals in 2005. IndUS Pharmaceuticals leverages skills and technology found in both India and the U.S. for the discovery and development of novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of cancer, diabetes and infectious disease. Charturvedi is also the CEO and co-founder of Oceanyx Pharmaceuticals, chief scientific officer and co-founder of Napo Pharmaceuticals, and co-founder of Scion Pharmaceuticals. His work has led to the development and commercialization of seven new drugs that are currently marketed by various companies.
 
Technological breakthroughs are often made by immigrants. The nominees in the high-tech category have each made remarkable contributions in their fields, and they contribute to Massachusetts’ reputation as a top ecosystem of innovation. Among the nominees for 2014 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year in High-Tech are:

Vikram Aggarwal
EnergySage, Cambridge

Vikram Aggarwal founded EnergySage in 2009. Often referred to as the “Expedia of Solar,” EnergySage is a first-of-its-kind online shopping-comparison marketplace that helps consumers research and shop for clean energy systems. EnergySage received the Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative Award in 2013

Swapnil Shah
FirstFuel Software, Lexington

Swapnil Shah co-founded FirstFuel Software in 2009. More than 15 large utilities and government agencies now trust FirstFuel to find and deliver more than $250 million in annual energy reduction opportunities. Shah founded three companies before starting FirstFuel Software: Open Environment, WebSpective Software and mValent. He has been a featured speaker at such events as the 2014 MA Energy Day, the White House Energy DataPalooza and the IMT City Mayor’s Conference. Locally, he is on the Board of the Lexington Education Foundation and an active member with the Children’s Fund.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of many neighborhoods. They provide needed goods and services as well as specialty items. They also increase local commerce by attracting customers from surrounding communities. Among the nominees for 2014 ILC Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year in Neighborhood Business is:

Mayur Patel
Little Market, Acton

Mayur Patel has owned Little Indian Market since 2008. He offers hard-to-find, authentic Indian items to serve the growing immigrant population in and around the Acton area as well as attract new customers interested in expanding their culinary tastes.
 
About The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.

The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. (ILC) of Malden, Mass, is a not-for-profit organization that helps immigrants and refugees become successful workers, parents and community members through direct service programs and public education. Our direct service program provides free, year-round English classes to immigrant and refugee adults in Greater Boston. The ILC further supports immigrants through the Public Education Institute, which informs Americans about the economic and social contributions of immigrants in our society. For more information visit the website http://www.ilctr.org and Facebook page http://www.fb.com/ImmigrantLearningCenter.

 

Media Contact:
Karen E. Glover
The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. Director of Communications
Phone: (781) 322-9777
kglover@ilctr.org   
 


 

 



 

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