washington business

Given to an entrepreneur whose business is less than five years old and has made a significant impact in their industry . winner of the entrepreneur of the year award :

M3 Biotechnology , Inc ., Seattle Founded : 2011 Number of employees : 11

Embodying the award ( Entrepreneur of the Year ): M3 Biotechnology is leading the way in delivering therapies for Alzheimer ’ s , Parkinson ’ s and other neurodegenerative diseases . It was founded by Leen Kawas , a 30-year-old immigrant from Jordan who earned her Ph . D . in molecular pharmacology from WSU and has raised $ 12 million for research and development through two oversubscribed financing rounds . Kawas was named one of Seattle ’ s Most Influential People by Seattle Magazine and one of the Women to Watch in Life Sciences by the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association

About the company : M3 Biotechnology is an innovative pharmaceutical company with a primary focus on altering the course of Alzheimer ’ s disease progression and neuro-deterioration . Where current therapies primarily address disease symptoms , M3 has patented and proprietary technologies aimed at creating disease-modifying treatments with the potential to restore lost connections between brain cells , turning degeneration into regeneration .

Notable contributions to the community and the state : Leen Kawas , president and CEO of M3 Biotechnology , serves on multiple boards , including the Washington Governor ’ s Life Science Advisory Board and the Scientific Review Board for the Alzheimer ’ s Drug Discovery Foundation . She is involved with local chapter for Alzheimer ’ s association to raise awareness . She also enjoys working to support women entrepreneurs ’ efforts in starting and growing local companies .

What our judges said : “ Critical therapeutic technology ... Significant outside investment from leading foundations ... Provides research and advancement for a growing segment of people with progressive diseases ... Identified the need , found partners , moved to make these partnerships work better . Very strategic .”

Quote : “ At M3 , we are determined to provide life changing therapeutics that will help millions of Alzheimer ’ s patients .”

— Leen Kawas , founder and CEO , M3 Biotechnology Website : www . m3bio . com other finalists for entrepreneur of the year

Aslan Brewing , Bellingham

Green goes far beyond sustainable raw inputs and outputs for this organic Bellingham brewer . It means commitment to its community and workers . Aslan donated 8 percent of its profits to charity last year , bought green renewable energy credits to offset its power use , provides free indoor bike parking for employees — and produced 5,000 barrels of award-winning beer .

C2S Technologies , Bellevue

Jagan Chitiprolu has come from a remote village in India to become the CEO of a global technology company growing at 20 percent a year and generating $ 20 million in annual revenue . He is devoted to Washington : his global data analysis company ’ s name was born as “ Coming to Seattle ” and evolved to “ Committed 2 Success .”

Heritage Distilling Company , Gig Harbor

This family-owned and operated craft distillery opened in 2012 and is now the third-largest craft distillery in Washington . Co-founder Justin Stiefel , an attorney , helped change state law to support the fast-growing craft distilling industry . Heritage calls itself a “ brainstorming factory ” that quickly brings innovative products to market , like its 2015 Spirits Advent Calendar — 24 mini bottles of vodka , gin and whiskey .

Schilling Cider , Auburn

In 2012 , Colin Schilling and Mark Kornei founded a company dedicated to innovative , flavor-forward hard ciders made from the best local ingredients and sold at a fair price . They support the craft cider industry , with classes for the public , active involvement in cider-related legislation , and the Schilling Cider House that serves other companies ’ high-quality craft ciders for the public to enjoy .

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