Houston Technology Center Announces Honoree for "A Celebration of Entrepreneurs"

HOUSTON, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Houston Technology Center (HTC) announced today Vijay Goradia as the Honoree of this year's "A Celebration of Entrepreneurs."  This annual black-tie (optional) gala honors local entrepreneurs who have made a significant impact in the Houston community. The event will also present four Lifetime Achievement Awards in the Energy, IT, Life Science and Aerospace sectors.  The gala will be held on May 16, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Houston.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130125/DA48482LOGO)

Vijay Goradia is the Founder and Chairman of Vinmar International, a global distributor of chemicals and polymers in business for 30 years, and he is the Chairman of Goradia Capital which invests in acquisition of chemical assets. Mr. Goradia is also the Founder and Chairman of Pratham USA, a grassroots organization that provides education services to over 20 million children in India. He also serves on the board of HTC, and the Greater Houston Partnership, and is a trustee of the American India Foundation. Vijay was the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur Award Winner for Gulf Coast Area Region. And, Mr. Goradia is the Founder of the Vijay and Marie Goradia Charitable Foundation, with his wife, Dr. Marie Goradia. The Goradia Innovation Prize was established by the Goradias as a $1 million gift to be awarded over a 10-year period. The prize, with Opportunity Houston, distributes almost $150,000 in cash prizes to finalists and honorable mentions of early stage companies that have or will soon commercialize innovative technology within the Gulf Coast region. The award is based on potential of the innovation, soundness of the business plan, potential for job growth within the region and likelihood of significant long-term success, and is presented annually at the HTC Innovation Conference and Showcase.

"Vijay illustrates the true entrepreneurial spirit which has made Houston the hub for innovation," said Walter Ulrich, president and CEO of the Houston Technology Center.  "Vijay and Marie are such a gracious, generous and successful couple, and mean so much to the Houston community with their philanthropy. We are grateful for his and his foundation's dedication and leadership, and we look forward to a tremendously successful tenth Celebration."

About Houston Technology Center
Named by Forbes' as one of "Ten Technology Incubators Changing the World", and one of "Twelve Business Incubators Changing the World," the Houston Technology Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a business accelerator and the largest technology business incubator in Texas, advancing the commercialization of emerging technology companies in the greater Houston area. As a catalyst for change, economic growth and development, HTC's focus is to assist entrepreneurs within several key sectors: energy, information technology, life sciences, nanotechnology, and NASA/aerospace. For more information visit www.HoustonTech.org or connect with HTC on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter @HouTechCenter.

Houston Technology Center Contact:
M. Heather Dunn
Director, Marketing and Communications
Houston Technology Center
832-476-9235
[email protected]

SOURCE Houston Technology Center