14th Annual Dreammakers and Risktakers Awards
2024-11-21 08:30 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Honoring Young Innovators Changing the World
Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group’s 14th Annual Dreammakers & Risktakers Awards brings together the regional innovation ecosystem with the young innovators influencing the future of the Tri-Valley and beyond. Join us for this thrilling tribute to students from Tri-Valley public school districts and Las Positas College who are innovating the future as they fearlessly pursue their dreams.
There may be nothing more important any of us can do than enthusiastically support our youngest innovators.
LINK TO NOVEMBER 11, 2024 PRESS RELEASE
The 2024 Tri-Valley DreamMakers and RiskTakers Slate of Awardees:
Dublin Unified School District: Presha Dutt
Senior and President of Dublin High School’s DECA program, Presha Dutt developed CIVEE, a social media management consulting service powered by tech-savvy teens, to help small businesses reach Gen Z audiences. CIVEE worked with local Dublin business, Mimi’s Chocolates, to help the company increase sales and social media engagement.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District (Danville): Sonia Sharma
A Junior at Monte Vista High School, Sonia Sharma launched Project emPOWER Train the Trainer, a program making self-defense education accessible in schools to bolster student confidence and safety. Her model, which trains PE teachers to integrate self-defense skills, has reached approximately 25,000 students across several Bay Area school districts.
Las Positas College: Raza Ali
Raza Ali’s research project, titled “Bioactive Molecules in Islamically Recommended Foods,” merges traditional wisdom from his Muslim community with cutting-edge biological research. Notably, Raza was one of only two community college students in the nation selected to present his original research at the National Research Conference (NRCP) hosted by the University of Pennsylvania in early October. His innovative approach to bridging disparate disciplines not only earned him national recognition but also made meaningful contributions to an underexplored field.
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District: Kerigan Coates
A Senior at Livermore High School, Kerigan Coates tackled student-athlete mental health by launching a peer support project and collaborating with the Kevin Love Fund to host an assembly promoting self-care. Her mental health website and resources for coaches have made a significant impact on campus.
Pleasanton Unified School District: Noah Small, Aryan Das, Jeffrey Ma, Colin Jennings
This team of students from Amador Valley High School designed an AI Fact Checker capable of real-time validation of statements. The team demonstrated their tool with the 2024 Presidential Debate in September, where it successfully provided accurate fact-checking on political claims.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District (San Ramon): Vedant Kathrani, Noor Tozulahmad, and Robi Tozulahmad
These Dougherty Valley High School students co-founded Plate to People, a community-centered platform addressing food insecurity. By partnering with community organizations such as White Pony Express, they work to combat food waste and support local families in need.
Tri-Valley Regional Occupational Program: Sophia Sucato
A talented photographer, writer and student currently studying in TVROP’s Middle College High School Program, Sophia Sucato honored her Italian heritage through her published book of photography and photography exhibit in Italy.
Tri-Valley 2040 Visionary Industry Award: Rohan Vij
A student at Dublin High School, Rohan worked with global energy services company, ENGIE North America when the company upgraded the Dublin Unified School District’s energy efficiency through renewable energy solutions. Through this program, Rohan invented TRIKALA, an app that integrates geospatial analysis for sustainable land use.
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

2024 DreamMakers & RiskTakers Award Winners
Photo Gallery: https://innovationtrivalley.org/dreammakers-and-risktakers-awards-2024-photos

#GameChangers Awards 2025
2025-05-08 17:30 - 20:00
The #GameChangers Awards is more than an event;
it’s a MOVEMENT celebrating the BOLD IDEAS and BREAKTHROUGHS
that make the Tri-Valley a hub of innovation.

BUY #GAMECHANGERS 2025 TICKETS HERE
Join ITV and the region’s disruptors, founders, funders, mentors, entrepreneurs, influencers,
and civic leaders for the Tri-Valley’s biggest bash of the year.
This year, the Tri-Valley’s most anticipated event takes center stage at the stunning Bishop Ranch in San Ramon.
Past honorees include 10x Genomics, Zeiss, Lam Research, Tekion, Topcon, Unchained Labs, and Vagaro —
a true “who’s who” of the Tri-Valley ecosystem.
Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group
2025 Tri-Valley #Gamechangers
2025 Tri-Valley Visionary Award: Southwest Airlines
Connecting Innovation to the Nation
This honor recognizes Southwest Airlines’ transformative role in connecting the Tri-Valley’s people and solutions to the nation—a contribution that has fueled economic growth and innovation for over 35 years. Since launching service at Oakland International Airport (OAK) in 1989, Southwest Airlines has not only grown into California’s largest air carrier but has also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to hospitality, reliability, and long-term investment in the East Bay. With nearly 3,000 employees based in and around OAK, Southwest Airlines continues to innovate and drive economic development in the region.
2025 #GameChanger Honorees:
LIVERMORE – GILLIG
Driving America Forward
GILLIG has been building America’s future for more than 130 years. Headquartered in Livermore, California, GILLIG is the nation’s only major heavy-duty bus manufacturer that is American-owned and fully American-built. From their advanced solar-powered facility to their leadership in clean-energy and zero-emission technologies, GILLIG is setting the standard for innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainable progress — and stands as a national model for the future of American manufacturing.
SAN RAMON – Dialpad
The Future of Work, Now
Dialpad is the leading Ai-powered communications intelligence platform creating human-first, Ai-enhanced solutions that will drive the next wave of how businesses communicate with and serve their customers. Enterprise customers such as Randstad, RE/MAX, Nasdaq, Express Scripts, T-Mobile, Johns Hopkins, Motorola Solutions, Tractor Supply, and Netflix use Dialpad and its Ai capabilities to deliver amazing customer experiences. Supported by notable investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, GV, ICONIQ Capital, and OMERS, Dialpad is a dynamic force in Ai technology with a rapidly expanding presence of 50,000 customers in 70 countries worldwide.
DANVILLE – LWX
Revolutionizing Supply Chain, One Bottle at a Time
LWX builds custom global supply chains for wine and spirits retailers, solving logistics challenges with world-class technological capabilities, agility, and integrity. By sourcing innovative wine and spirits products from around the world, LWX imports and distributes to a range of national retailers in all 50 states. LWX combines creativity, deep category insight and operational know-how to help retailers bring something truly unique to the shelf. From a hometown HQ in Downtown Danville, LWX is disrupting the wine and spirits logistics space.
DUBLIN – Dublin Technology Center Workspaces
Space to Innovate
Dublin Technology Center Workspaces has emerged as a creative and collaborative cornerstone of the Tri-Valley’s innovation corridor. Home to cutting-edge firms like Kensington Labs and a hub for regional thought leaders, Dublin Technology Center Workspaces is reimagining the modern office and offering a launchpad for game-changing innovation.
PLEASANTON – Cowbell
Cyber Insurance, Reimagined
Cowbell is a cyber and technology E&O insurance provider for American and UK-based businesses with up to $/£1bn in annual revenue. With its unique AI-based approach to risk selection and pricing, Cowbell’s continuous underwriting platform, powered by Cowbell Factors, compresses the insurance process from submission to issue in less than 5 minutes. Cowbell offers subscription-based cybersecurity services via its dedicated and independent Cowbell Resilience Services (CRS) unit. Founded in 2019, Cowbell is based in Pleasanton and has employees across the U.S., Canada, India, and the U.K.
PAST #GAMECHANGERS
2024 Tri-Valley #GameChangers
Rezolve.ai
Vector Atomic
Buzzkill Labs
KMT Technical Services
Greenlight Simulation
Las Positas College – Founder’s Award
2023 #GameChangers
Air Protein
Lazarex Cancer Foundation
Reputation
ProSomnus Sleep Technologies
Sparkz
The Wellnest Company
Zeiss Innovation Center
LLNL Fusion Ignition Team – Founder’s Award
2022 #GameChangers
Acton
A Eye
BoxMedia
Crosschq
IrisVision
Monarch Tractor
Raydiant Oximetry
Striking Distance Studios
Tekion
Vagaro
Lawrence Livermore National Lab – Advanced Manufacturing Lab- Founder’s Award
2019 #GameChangers
10x Genomics
Amber Solutions
Coast + Range
Creative Digital Agency
Elysium Therapeutics Incl
Lambda School
Saba
Vericool
Sensiba – Founder’s Award
2018 #GameChangers
Altamont Beer Works
Challenge Dairy Products
The Crayon Initiative
Hexcel Corp
iQuest
SafeTraces
Trov
Unchained Labs
Vintage 99
Axis Community Health – Social Innovator
Tri-Valley Ventures – Activator
Sandia National Laboratories – Founder’s Award
2017 #GameChangers
Car Zeiss Meditec
Donor Network West
Neotract, Inc.
Sandstone Diagnostics
ServiceMax
Tria Beauty, Inc.
Uptempo Tech
Victory Workspace
Wiley X
Bishop Ranch – Founders Award
2016 #GameChangers
Callidus Cloud
ChoiceLunch
Fun Mobility Inc.
GE Innovation Center
iTrade Network
Leaf Healthcare
Nuubia SF
POC Medical Systems
SocialSource
Topcon Positioning Systems
LAM Research – Founders Award

State of the Tri-Valley 2025
2025-09-10 17:30 - 20:30 | The Roundhouse at Bishop Ranch, 2600 Camino Ramon #100, San Ramon, CA, 94583, United States
The Tri-Valley is more than a Bay Area innovation hub—it’s a community where visionary leadership, breakthrough technology, and bold collaboration fuel an exceptional quality of life. At this year’s State of the Tri-Valley, hear from stakeholders shaping the region’s innovation ecosystem and community wellness. Join us on September 10th, 2025 from 5:30PM-8:30PM for dynamic panel conversations and an energizing networking reception with the people building one of California’s most livable and economically vibrant regions.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE

15th Annual Dreammakers and Risktakers Awards
2025-11-20 08:30 - 10:30
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
