R.A.V.E. (Recognizing Awarding Valuing Entrepreneurs)

Join us in celebrating the 12th Annual R.A.V.E. (Recognizing Awarding Valuing Entrepreneurs) Event on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Two Discovery Square, 415 2nd Avenue SW, Rochester. The festivities will run from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., starting with networking, appetizers, and refreshments, followed by the awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Each award recipient will be honored with a special video tribute.

This year, we are excited to present Entrepreneurial Awards to Leena Pradhan-Nabzdyk, co-founder of Canomiks, a biotech company that uses genomics, bioinformatics, and AI to validate the safety and efficacy of ingredients in functional foods, supplements, and skincare; The Haeuszer Family, founders of Rochester Pallets, a supplier of new, refurbished, and custom-built pallets supporting local manufacturers and supply chain operations with efficient, high‑quality pallet solutions; and Brandon Sampson and Marty Frana, co-founders of Limb Lab, a prosthetic and orthotics company that provides personal, creative, and cutting-edge solutions to the functional challenges of limb loss and injury.

We will also honor the Zwart Family, founders of Progressive Tool & Manufacturing in Pine Island, for the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of the company’s 55 years of excellence. Established in 1970 by Wendell Zwart, the company has been a leader in plastic injection molding, sheet metal fabrication, and CNC tooling support.

Additionally, the Warrior Award will be presented to Tawonda Burks for her advocacy and education with minority entrepreneurs in the Rochester area.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI