Here’s a rundown of the winners announced Thursday night:

Innovator of the Year, Startup Company

FreeFall Aerospace Inc., a Tucson-based spinoff from the University of Arizona that provides an electronically-steerable inflatable antenna designed to revolutionize the way data moves from space to the ground.

As a startup company, this recognition of the value and potential of our technology is tremendously important and a real honor for all of us at FreeFall – employees, investors and partners.
– Doug Stetson, President & CEO of FreeFall Aerospace

Benchmark Academia Award

Louise Hecker, an associate professor in medicine for UA whose research background and training are rooted in regenerative biology and investigating mechanisms of tissue injury repair.

Innovator of the Year, Small Company:

Prime Solutions Group Inc., a Goodyear-based professional engineering services company with a focus on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technology.

Innovator of the Year, Large Company

AgJunction Inc., the Scottsdale-based precision agriculture technology company that invented autosteering technology for tractors.

MSS Business Transformational Leadership Award

Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance, a Scottsdale-based medical air transportation company.

AccountabilIT Lifetime Achievement Award

James C. Wyant, professor emeritus of the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences at UA.

Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year: 

Fletcher McCusker, CEO of UAVenture Capital, a Tucson-based investment fund designed to help finance UA-connected companies.

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The Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Commerce Authority recognized leaders in science and technology at the 16th annual Governor’s Celebration of Innovation Awards Thursday night in Phoenix.

Arizona-based companies and individuals were chosen as winners at the Phoenix Convention Center event for advancing the state’s business and technology ecosystem.