OC Tech Alliance Announces Host for 21st Annual High-Tech Innovation Awards Dinner Slated for October 9

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 22, 2014) - The OC Tech Alliance 21^st Annual High Tech Awards dinner will be held October 9 at the Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and the organization has announced that technology veteran James (Jim) Mazzo, operating partner for Versant Ventures, will serve as the host.

This year's expanded program has 36 finalists in 12 categories that celebrate technology innovation in Orange County. In addition to product categories, there are six technology company CEOs and six outstanding technology companies that are finalists for the program.

"The amount of technology innovation in Orange County will truly astonish the average person and we're thrilled to offer an expanded program for the 21^st annual awards ceremony," said Peter Craig, CEO, OC Tech Alliance. "We are honored to have as a host, a technology executive and venture capitalist with notable accomplishments, Jim Mazzo."

Mr. Mazzo focuses on patient needs, new technology advancements and investment opportunities in the healthcare field worldwide. Versant Ventures is a leading venture capital firm that invests in innovative, groundbreaking bio-pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other life science opportunities. 

In addition, he is the Executive Chairman and CEO for AcuFocus, which developed and markets the revolutionary KAMRA inlay for the treatment of presbyopia. Mr. Mazzo is also the Executive Chairman for Neurotech, a biotechnology company developing sight-saving therapies for retinal diseases. 

Mr. Mazzo is a strong believer in higher education and serves on the University of California at Irvine (UCI) foundation (past Chairman). He is a trustee for Chapman University and the University of San Diego.

Since its inception in 1994, the OC High Tech Innovation Awards have recognized over 100 companies and technology leaders, as well as over one thousand engineers and innovators. In 2005, this recognition was extended to include outstanding technology educators, technology education programs and student innovators.

The product categories for the 2014 OC High Tech Innovation Awards include:

• Mobile & Wearable Technology (Devices and software including tablets, smart phones, watches, glasses, apps, games, accessories)
• Consumer Devices & Software (Technology devices and software for use in home, vehicle, gaming & entertainment, health & fitness, home security)
• Cloud /SaaS/ Web Platform Solutions (Web delivered applications and infrastructure for enterprise and consumer use)
• Enterprise Software (Applications software and tools licensed to enterprise customers for "on premises" use)
• Enterprise Hardware & Devices (Systems and devices for enterprise use such as telecommunications, networking, servers, storage, 2D/3D printers & scanners)
• Semiconductors (OEM component RF, analog and digital devices and IP cores including SOCs and embedded systems delivered in an OEM format)
• CyberSecurity (Devices, Software, Services including SEIM for Cyber Security applications including authentication, privacy and confidentiality, data loss protection, and system integrity management)
• CleanTech/Green Tech (Energy, recyclable and resource conserving and reclamation devices, materials and processes including batteries and fuel cells, environmental management software for industrial and consumer use and related services)

About Orange County Technology Alliance
Orange County Technology Alliance is a 501(c)6 nonprofit trade association committed to fast-forwarding the local innovation economy. It is the successor organization to the Orange County Council of TechAmerica and AeA. It is the only technology association addressing the needs of small-to-midsize technology companies and their leaders based in Orange County, Calif. The alliance serves members through local networking, professional development, state and federal advocacy, savings on business services and industry recognition. To learn more about membership, contact OC Tech Alliance at octech@octechalliance.com or www.octechalliance.com. Follow alliance activities on Twitter at www.twitter.com/octechalliance.

About Project Tomorrow
Project Tomorrow (www.tomorrow.org), a national education nonprofit organization headquartered in Irvine, California, supports the innovative uses of research-based science, math and technology resources to develop critical thinking, problem solving and creativity in K-12 students. Project Tomorrow addresses the challenges of developing schools for the 21st century through national research projects, community and school-based programs, online tools and resources, and advocacy efforts to ensure that all students are prepared to be tomorrow's leaders, innovators and engaged citizens of the world.