Synergies Work, an Atlanta nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities, today announced the 15 finalists across five categories for its 2nd annual EDDIE Awards taking place April 11 from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta. Learn about the finalists and their respective categories here. 

One winner will be named in each category. Additionally, an Entrepreneur of the Year selected from the finalists will receive a $10,000 grand prize to further their business aspirations. 

Lynette Bell, President of Truist Foundation, will be the evening’s honored guest. Entertainment will include Atlanta-based dance group Full Radius Dance, which brings together disabled and non-disabled dancers through performance; improvisational rapper QuestionATL; and Derek’s Doodles, an artist who will draw his interpretation of the night’s events to be shown on screens live. Additional artists and entertainers, as well as speakers, will be announced soon. A silent auction will also precede this year’s EDDIE Awards presentation. 

“As with our inaugural event, we were amazed by the caliber of applicants and appreciative of the hard work that went into narrowing them down to our finalists,” said Synergies Work Founder and CEO Aarti Sahgal. “The EDDIE Awards shines a spotlight on these talented, inspiring individuals while reinforcing our commitment to inclusivity and belief that the entrepreneurial dream should be accessible to all.” 

Judges for this year’s EDDIE Awards include Donnie Beamer Jr., CFA, Senior Technology Advisor, City of Atlanta; Regina “Gina” Kline, Founder and Managing Partner, Enable Ventures; Chris Maher, Founder and General Partner, Samaritan Partners; Alexander Dale, Director, Global Challenges, MIT Solve; Aaron Slater, Lead, US and Indigenous Communities, MIT Solve; Jill Savitt, President and CEO, National Center for Civil and Human Rights; Jason Bearden, President, Georgia Market, CareSource; Dana Cogan, President, Carabiner Communications; and award-winning recording artist Lachi. 

Sponsors for this year’s EDDIE Awards currently include CareSource, Eversheds Sutherland, Georgia Advocacy Office, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, WestRock, and ZenBusiness. Information on remaining sponsorships can be found here.

Tickets for the April 11 event are still available but are selling quickly. Attendees will enjoy food and entertainment prior to the awards ceremony. Ticket information can be found here.

Finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the EDDIE Awards to take part in the evening’s celebration. 

Remaining proceeds from the EDDIE Awards will be used to support Synergies Work’s programs, all of which are free to disabled founders. To date, Synergies Work has served over 300 founders.

A short video that tells the Synergies Work story can be viewed here.