In a ballroom at the famous Beverly Hilton Hotel last night, EY unveiled its list of winners for the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, showcasing a handful of rapidly growing tech companies and the leaders behind them. Here are the startups who won big.
International sneaker marketplace GOAT saw its co-founders, CEO Eddy Lu and CPO Daishin Sugan, take home the award for consumer products and retail on Thursday night. Launched in 2015, the company has raised more than $97 million, acquired powerhouse sneaker retailer Flight Club and just recently launched a sneaker cleaning service within the company’s mobile application.
System1 CEO Chuck Ursini and President Michael Blend accepted the award for marketing technology on behalf of the Venice-based company. Originally called OpenMail, the company leans on a robust team of data scientists and engineers to help advertisers identify consumer intent. Since 2013, the company has raised $270 million.
Thanks to its robust consumer-focused clean power platform, Santa Monica-based Inspire was named the winner in the clean technology and renewable energy category. In January, the four-year-old company was named as one of Built In LA's 50 Startups to Watch in 2018.
This year’s award for digital media went to Santa Monica’s own Headspace. Founded in 2010 by entrepreneurs Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson, the company’s mental health and wellness app boasts nearly 20 million users in more than 190 countries.
Brighter, a Santa Monica-based software developer that helps health insurance organizations connect patients with providers, topped all finalists to win the technology award. CEO Jake Winebaum accepted the award for the company, which was acquired by health services giant Cigna in December for an undisclosed amount.
FIGS co-CEOs Heather Hasson and Trina Spear accepted the emerging business award for the e-commerce startup. Founded in 2013, the company — which develops and sells fashion-friendly apparel for medical professionals — has raised $72 million, with a $65 million Series B closing in January.
