Awards Celebration

NEF ANNUAL AWARDS PRESENTATION

Join our members and celebrate the accomplishments of the outstanding startup entrepreneurs being recognized by New Enterprise Forum.

NEF Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The NEF Entrepreneur of the Year Award is given to an individual who is not only changing the world in a good way through their entrepreneurial accomplishments, but is also inspiring others with their vision, leadership and achievements. The 2024 winner is David Zacks, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ONL Therapeutics.

ONL Therapeutics (ONL) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing first-in-class therapeutics to protect and improve the vision of patients with retinal disease. By advancing a breakthrough technology designed to protect key retinal cells from Fas-mediated cell death, ONL is pioneering a new approach to preserving vision.

In September, 2024, ONL closed on a $65 million oversubscribed Series D financing round. Johnson & Johnson Innovation led the round that was backed by a consortium of investors that included Bios Partnes, Novartis Venture Fund, Visionary Ventures and ExSight Ventures, among others.

Dr. Zacks is a clinician-scientist and the Edna H. Perkiss Research Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Michigan, Kellogg Eye Center. For over 20 years his research has focused on the molecular regulatory mechanisms controlling photoreceptor death or survival in retinal disease. Dr. Zacks is a pioneer and recognized thought leader in the field of retinal neuroprotection and photoreceptor cell physiology. He has received numerous honors for his work, including the Macula Society’s W. Richard Green Lecture and Award in 2011 and the 2024 Kreissig Award for Excellence in Retinal Surgery from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. He earned his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed his residency in ophthalmology and fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Harvard Medical School.

NEF Startup Community Champion Award

This award recognizes two individuals who have made a huge positive impact by devoting their time and energy to building a robust startup community in our region and who have directly and indirectly fostered the growth of numerous entrepreneurs. The NEF Startup Community Champion award for 2024 goes to Alexa and Johnnie Turnage, Co-Founders of Black Tech Saturdays. Please note that, while this award is being announced now, Alexa and Johnnie can not attend the February NEF forum event due to a conflict and will actually be presented with their award at our March NEF forum event.

Black Tech Saturdays (BTS) is an inclusive movement that is not just reshaping tech, but fundamentally shifting the trajectory of Black, Brown, and underestimated founders in America. What began as a single event has transformed into a nationwide force, drawing nearly 20,000 visitors across six states and generating over $30 million in economic impact through venture capital raised, cumulative job salaries, business contracts, and company revenues.

Powerhouse husband-and-wife Alexa and Johnnie have attracted new resources, built bridges where barriers once stood, and been recognized by the Governor, the Mayor of Detroit, and countless leaders as one of the most significant forces in Michigan’s innovation economy. Their work is more than just an initiative—it is an engine of change, accelerating the rise of a new generation of entrepreneurs, technologists, and wealth builders who are no longer knocking on doors but building their own. From securing six- and seven-figure deals for Black, Brown, and underestimated founders to placing Detroit at the center of a national conversation about inclusive innovation, Alexa and Johnnie’s impact is undeniable. Black Tech Saturdays has become an international story, proving that when access meets ambition, the impossible becomes inevitable.  

Best Showcase Presentations

From among the entrepreneurs who were coached by NEF and delivered a Showcase Presentation at a Forum in 2024, we will recognize the best performers in three categories: 

• Best Presentation
• Best Business Model
• Best Technology

Join us to find out who the winners are!

Networking

Come join us in person to enjoy food, drink, and conversation with members of the local startup community.

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