DISRUPTOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
PAWSTRUCK
Pawstruck began because founder and CEO Kyle Goguen became frustrated while trying to buy his puppy healthy treats without artificial ingredients, inspiring him to create a new concept company. He decided to leave his career in engineering for something he was passionate about—supplying other responsible pet owners with high-quality and reasonably priced dog products!
Goguen’s dream has since become a reality. He surrounded himself with a team who shared the same goals and philosophies that led him to the business in the first place. With the help of their dogs, they make it easy (and fun) for pet parents to give their dogs wholesome products for a healthy, happy life, only selling products we proudly feed our own dogs.
TRUCONNECT
TruConnect is a nationwide wireless service provider that is committed to making people’s communication needs more flexible and affordable. The company believes that affordable services should be available for every- one, so it offers innovative programs such as Lifeline, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and Pay-As-You-Go plans built for different kinds of lifestyles, allowing each customer to choose the plan that is right for them.
Lifeline is a state and federal government program that provides affordable wireless services to low-income consumers. The Lifeline program is available to consumers who can provide documentation for eligibility based on either income or participation in public assistance programs, such as SNAP and Medicaid. One Lifeline service is allowed per household. TruConnect currently offers Lifeline service to residents in California and 34 other states.
MILLER KAPLAN INNOVATOR AWARD FINALISTS
VEGAMOUR INC.
In the past, few thought it was possible to make high-performance hair products without harmful toxins and undesirable side effects. Vegamour combined the superpowers of science and nature and made it happen.
Vegamour’s topical and nutritional supplement products contain sustainably harvested, organic plant actives that have been clinically shown to help improve visible hair growth, help reduce fallout, and repair follicle damage while protecting the hair from external aggressors. Vegamour formulas are designed to work in tandem to create the optimal ecosystem for healthy, abundant hair. Vegamour digs deep into the field of molecular biology to create breakthrough processes and high-performance products that have been optimized for maximum efficacy. Each bioactive ingredient is clinically tested and incorporated into each of the company’s formulas at the appropriate levels to achieve optimal benefits. Plus, Vegamour products are cruelty-free and 100% vegan.
WEECARE
WeeCare was founded by a team of educators, preschool owners, and technology innovators in Los Angeles, with over 30 years of experience in early childhood care. The WeeCare team’s mission is to make affordable, world-class daycares accessible to all families. The company strives to empower individuals, especially women, by helping them start and operate their own daycare businesses.
WeeCare’s employee childcare benefits help working families manage work and life by providing benefits like in-home daycare access, child-care subsidies, flexible scheduling, backup care, and more. These childcare benefits for employees include a variety of ways that companies may offer help with childcare expenses, including subsidized rates for daycare, nannies, and babysitters; reimbursement for daycare expenses paid out-of-pocket; flexible childcare hours; and assistance finding childcare providers via a WeeCare dedicated care manager.
FIFTH THIRD BANK ACCELERATOR AWARD FINALISTS
THE AGENCY
The Agency is a global, boutique real estate brokerage representing a portfolio of properties across the world’s prime markets and celebrated destinations. Named the Top Luxury Brokerage by Inman, The Agency is one of the fastest-growing premier boutique brands in
the world. Its clients and agents benefit from the shared resources of an international team, including in-house, cutting-edge creative, public relations, and tech divisions.
The Agency is defined by its strength of character, rebellious spirit, and passion for reinvention. Breaking away from the traditional brokerage model, The Agency takes a collaborative approach to the business of real estate. All of its agents and clients benefit from the shared resources, expertise, and networks of the entire global team. The Agency’s unique culture allows it to provide a boutique environment that operates on a global scale, beginning with the concierge service it offers agents and clients alike.
LA BUSINESS PERSONNEL INC.
LA Business Personnel has provided qualified personnel to companies since 1988. It is one of a few woman-owned staffing agencies in Los Angeles and has been operating under the same management for over three decades.
Each client is provided with a dedicated account executive who learns and knows the client’s business, culture, and staffing needs. Whether the customer needs an employee for one day or for an extended period of time, LA Business Personnel is able to businesses with the right candidates within the timeframes need- ed. Another option to ensure customers have the right employee working for them who is a good fit for their organization before making final hiring decisions is LA Business Personnel’s “Temp to Hire” program. Short response time and well-adept staff are the most valuable assets at LA Business Personnel, which is confident in its candidates and, as a result, maintains a 98% success rate with same-day job orders.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD FINALISTS
GST INC.
GST is a woman-owned business that helps its clients stay ahead of the technology curve, connecting them to advanced end-to-end IT and AV solutions and services tailored to meet their needs. GST’s global expertise inspires confidence and creates lasting relationships. As the leading technology integrator, GST works with key industry manufacturers to provide you with comprehensive and creative solutions that include the latest technologies, products, and design methodologies.
GST is also passionate about community service. Committed to becoming a good corporate citizen, GST always strives to operate its business with integrity, supporting philanthropic efforts, serving its communities, providing diversity and labor practices for employees, and reducing its impact on the environment. GST consistently demonstrates its belief that technology has inspired the spirit of consociate and is dedicated to the continued exploration of technological innovation with integrity and thoughtfulness.
OLTMANS CONSTRUCTION CO. INC.
Oltmans Construction Co. is a full-service general contracting company specializing in commercial and industrial, e-commerce, affordable housing, healthcare and wellness, education, solar, infrastructure, and tenant improvement markets. The company has earned its way to the top of California’s construction industry by staying true to the vision and business practices founder J.O. Oltmans laid down nearly 90 years ago.
Part of that founding vision was giving back to the community. At Oltmans Construction Co., the team is made up of a group of passionate, hardworking, and caring men and women who have developed a foundation to support the communities they serve. The Oltmans Foundation provides support and opportunities for the company to serve better and strengthen the communities in which we work. Even amidst the challenges of a pandemic, the Foundation remained ambitious in its mission to make a positive impact.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD FINALISTS
SAPPHOS ENVIRONMENTAL INC.
Sapphos Environmental, Inc. continues its mission to provide environmental compliance services to both public- and private-sector clients. Marie Campbell, president of Sapphos Environmental, Inc., founded the firm after working in both the private sector and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For nearly 30 years, Sapphos Environmental, Inc. has continued to grow and prosper, providing responsive, high-quality planning, resource management, and environmental compliance services tailored to serve the unique needs of each client.
The firm has successfully completed over $98 million in environmental services. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. has performed approximately $6.5 million dollars in services annually on projects during the past three years, with contract values ranging from less than $1,000 to more than $2.5 million. Sapphos Environmental, Inc. is committed to delivering consulting services and environmental documentation that are above the industry standards for technical accuracy and reliability.
SCS ENGINEERS
SCS Engineers is an environmental consulting and contracting firm serving public and private clients across the nation and around the world. Environmental engineers, consultants, and scientists at the company work on solutions for pollution, energy consumption and emissions reductions, land remediation, water/wastewater treatment, and waste management. SCS strives to help its clients maintain the quality of our soil, water, and air and to use resources more efficiently and less destructively as they deliver their products and services.
SCS’ core capabilities are in solid and hazardous waste management, renewable energy, remediation, carbon capture, measurement, and verification, backed by environmental compliance experts. SCS clients entrust the company with the management of more than 35 million metric tons of anthropogenic CO2e greenhouse gases every year. SCS collects and beneficially uses or destroys enough to offset greenhouse gas emissions from 7.4 million passenger cars annually.