Media Pioneer Ted Turner Receives James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award at The Tech Awards - Seite 2

For their commitment to applying technology in practical ways to solve some of the world's most challenging problems, the laureates were given a week of unique Silicon Valley business experiences and training plus an unrestricted cash award of up to $75,000. The laureates are selected by independent judging panels whose members include former laureates, scholars, and experts from the private and public sectors. They are coordinated by The Tech and Santa Clara University Professor Craig Stephens. 

"The Tech Awards give us all the chance to do our job as humans," said Tech Museum of Innovation President Tim Ritchie at the gala. "Through this program, we support innovators in their efforts to use technology to ease burdens, elevate dignity, and create opportunities."

The Tech Awards also honored Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, with the inaugural Laureate Impact Award. Khan was a laureate in the Microsoft Education category in 2009.

The gala was hosted by Simran Sethi, a journalist and educator named one of The 20 Most Influential Women in Green. The evening unfolded against the backdrop of an exhibition specially curated for The Tech Awards that included some of the world's most iconic photographs projected on towering screens. The gala included performances from Silicon Valley community chorus Resounding Achord, and Doug Menuez presented guests with his book, "Fearless Genius," which captures key moments in the careers of Steve Jobs and more than 70 other innovators.

The event raises more than $1 million for The Tech's educational programs.

Here are the laureates of The Tech Awards 2014. All laureates receive a $25,000 cash award, and winners selected in each category, noted below, receive an additional $50,000.

THE TECH AWARDS LAUREATES 2014

Intel Environment Award

Inventive Power (winner): Developed solar technology to generate thermal energy in industrial and commercial sectors in Latin America.

Source International: Provides technology and training enabling members of poor Latin American communities to examine their water, air, and soil for chemical contaminants.

Microsoft Education Award

Gooru (winner): Provides an online platform for educators worldwide to personalize and share instructional content customized to each student's needs.

Worldreader: Provides more than 200,000 young people around the world with training and e-readers with extended battery life.

Katherine M. Swanson Young Innovator Award

Nanoly (winner): A team of young materials scientists from the University of Colorado is developing technology that eliminates the need to refrigerate vaccines.