BCW Celebrates Innovation with Awards for Local Innovators

In a spectacular celebration of innovation, the Business Council of Westchester and its Westchester Innovation Network (WIN) recently honored three local innovators — Clarapath, EverFoam Products and White Plains High School — with BCW WIN Champion Awards totaling $17,250. The awards were presented at the BCW’s Business Showcase event held November 20 at the Westchester Marriott. The exciting half-day event drew more than 350 people and featured over 80 exhibitors.

“We at the BCW are always thinking about the future and how to support innovation. The three Champions Awards recipients represent the exciting possibilities that entrepreneurs can bring to life with their ideas, perseverance and passion,” said BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon.

Clarapath of Hawthorne received a $10,000 WIN Champions Award to support the company’s efforts to automate human and animal tissue slide development and facilitate disease mapping and treatment discovery. “Clarapath is working with many partners as we develop and market our SectionStar robotic device that automates the process of tissue cutting. We appreciate the support we have received from the Westchester Innovation Network and the Business Council of Westchester, both of which provide introductions and collaboration opportunities that are essential to technology development,” said Clarapath President and CEO Eric Feinstein.

EverFoam Products of Yonkers received a $5,000 WIN Champions Award to manufacture and market sustainable and reusable party décor. “People are interested, and they want to use our products. Grants like this enable me to take those extra steps required to get the support I need to build and track my finances. Every opportunity helps and we’re very thankful to the BCW and the WIN program,” said Traci Jones, founder of EverFoam Products. EverFoam was part of Element 46, in the Fall 2022 Cohort. The Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by Cela Innovation is Westchester County’s full-scale startup accelerator program, an initiative of the Office of Economic Development.

White Plains High School received a $2,500 WIN Champions Award for its INCubatoredu entrepreneurship course that helps students develop their own product or service startups. The INCubatoredu is a course designed to help White Plains High School students become entrepreneurs by facilitating opportunities to create and develop their own products or services. On hand to receive the award were Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Ricca, High School Principal Emerly Hernandez, K-12 Coordinator Rocco Varuolo, Professor Ashley Leblanc and three students who are in the INCubatoredu program.

The BCW also gave the Montefiore Health System the Westchester Innovation Network Partnership Award for the institution’s collaboration with local organizations, schools and startups to foster an ecosystem of progress. The award was presented to Marcos A. Crespo Senior Vice President, Community Affairs. “It’s an honor to recognize a company whose commitment to healthcare innovation has not only transformed the landscape of our local medical system but has also touched the lives of countless individuals in our community,” said Gordon.

The Business Showcase also featured the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Platform Workshop, a commitment-free learning education online platform that allows small-business owners to learn on their own time at no cost. The platform consists of short-form videos and articles addressing small business topics ranging from sound spending decisions to common cybersecurity threats and search results improvement, as well as peer networking, 1:1 coaching and grant opportunities.

Verizon was the Presenting Sponsor of the Business Showcase.