The NCWIT Symons Innovator Award promotes women’s participation in information technology and entrepreneurship by honoring an outstanding woman who has successfully built and funded an IT business. By recognizing women IT entrepreneurs, the NCWIT Symons Innovator Award hopes to inspire others to pursue IT entrepreneurship, and increase awareness about the importance of women’s participation in IT innovation and business. The award is named for Jeanette Symons, founder of Industrious Kid, Zhone Technologies, and Ascend Communications, and an NCWIT Entrepreneurial Hero whose pioneering work made her an inspiration to many. The NCWIT Symons Innovator Award was created by the NCWIT Entrepreneurial Alliance.

The 2012 NCWIT Symons Innovator Award-winner is Jessica Jackley.

The 2011 NCWIT Symons Innovator Award-winner is Audrey MacLean.

The 2010 NCWIT Symons Innovator Award-winner is Kim Polese.

The 2009 NCWIT Symons Innovator Award-winner is Anousheh Ansari.

Sponsorship for the NCWIT Symons Innovator Award is provided by EMC, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and the Motorola Mobility Foundation. For more on women and IT entrepreneurship, check out our research and listen to our Entrepreneurial Heroes interviews.