Three Eastside businesses were honored at the 25th Annual Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Eastside Business Awards reception and ceremony March 20. In all, 31 businesses were nominated for the awards.
“What an amazing night for the Eastside. The lineup of companies this year was truly representative of the Eastside’s Entrepreneurial Spirit!” said Betty Nokes, president and CEO, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. “Over our 25 years of the Eastside Business Awards program we have celebrated innovation, new ideas, start-up companies and enterprises – the engines that create new jobs and spur economic vitality. We congratulate all of the nominees – you represent the best of the best on the Eastside.”
Outerwall of Bellevue was named Eastside Business of the Year.
Outerwall was recognized for its sustained performance as an established Eastside business of over 100 employees; the organization’s business leadership in its industry, its history of recognizing and seizing market opportunities, the strength of the candidate’s leadership team and workforce, and the company’s financial stability.
Outerwall, Inc. has more than 20 years of experience creating some of the most profitable spaces for their retail partners. The company has grown and diversified its product offerings to meet a changing marketplace.
Community involvement is a big piece of the company’s culture. In 2012, employee participation in volunteer services grew 28 percent and the number of employees that used the company’s gift matching non-profit donation program increased 42 percent over the previous year.
Eastside Small Business of the Year went to Smartsheet.com, Inc., also of Bellevue.
It was recognized for its superior performance as an Eastside small business of 100 employees or fewer with an established presence in the community, a commitment to workforce excellence, and a demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit.
Smartsheet.com has been in business for seven years and represents a growing technology sector that continues to attract talent, innovate, and create jobs in our Eastside marketplace. ZIt is a leading Software as a Service Company offering business a collaboration and work management tool. In 2012 it launched a free native mobile app.
Innovative Service of the Year went to Nytec Product Innovation Center of Kirkland.
The company was recognized for launching a new cutting edge product, software, service or application. Launched within the last two years, the service makes life easier, better and sometimes more fun. It creates value for an existing customer segment or creates a new customer segment.
Nytec has been in business for 39 years and has a long and successful record of helping startups on the cusp of innovation deliver their products. In 2012 it saw an opportunity for expansion by developing a different service. The 20,000square-foot Nytec Product Innovation Center has helped to bring some of the most groundbreaking consumer electronics into reality. This service has been able to leverage many resources startups need in one location which has led them to 342 percent three year revenue growth rate.
More information is available at Download Eastside Entrepreneur Magazine at www.bellevuechamber.org.
