Last year at the 2023 Tekne Awards, createMPLS took home the Building Our Future Tekne Award for their work in inspiring youth to consider careers in technology and equipping students with the skills and experiences needed for success in this field. The data shows that this work is sorely needed.
By 2033, the Minnesota Technology Association predicts that the state of Minnesota will need 92,537 new technologists to replace exiting workers and account for growth of new roles. Meeting this demand will take serious effort by educational institutions, community organizations, and tech-enabled companies. createMPLS is dedicated to taking on this challenge by preparing students in underrepresented communities for rewarding careers by removing barriers and providing accessible STEM learning programs at no cost to the students or families.
We sat down with createMPLS Executive Director Rob Warland to hear about his experience winning this award and what it means for the organization.
“To win this award as a small nonprofit in an ecosystem of tech giants showed us that our work is needed and an important part of talent development.” – Rob Warland, Executive Director of createMPLS
In 2023, createMPLS won the Building Our Tech Future award. Tell us about the experience of winning that evening.
What an honor! To be considered with like-minded & impactful organizations and then to be recognized from industry leaders that our mission to provide accessible technology learning opportunities has value was very humbling and encouraging.
Had you been to the Tekne Awards before? Has createMPLS won any other awards?
We had not attended the Tekne Awards before and this is the first award createMPLS has won.
What was the application process like for you?
The application process was quite easy; it was completed by me (Executive Director) in under an hour. What I put in the application is on the top of my mind everyday.
CreateMPLS has been heavily involved in the MnTech community and in talent initiatives. What does it mean to win a Tekne Award for your impactful work?
With the goal to prepare students for the future of work and our focus on accessible technology education, being a part of the community that is fueling the success in Minnesota’s tech ecosystem is a no brainer to be heavily involved with. To win this award as a small nonprofit in an ecosystem of tech giants showed us that our work is needed and an important part of talent development.
What would you say to someone who is on the fence about applying for a Tekne Award this year?
Stop what you’re doing and make this a priority. MnTech has been very welcoming and the opportunity to win an award for Building Our Future isn’t just about the trophy, but rather validates your purpose and solidifies your place in the tech ecosystem.
Thinking about applying for a Tekne Award?
Applications are being accepted until August 9, 2024. The Tekne Awards are a great opportunity to highlight the amazing work that your organization or colleague is doing to positively impact Minnesota’s tech community. There are 16 awards available to apply for across three categories: Business Impact, Community Impact, and Individual Achievement. You can learn more about each award and apply at the link below.
