Genova Technologies named a 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner

A Cedar Rapids-based company has been named a 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year award winner in the Upper Midwest by Ernst & Young.

Genova Technologies was one of nine winners and the only from Iowa. The award recognizes outstanding high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities, according to Ernest & Young.

The company specializes in project management, custom software development, requirements capture and multilevel information technology consulting nationwide with clients in the private and government sectors.

Finalists were selected by an independent panel of judges and recognized at an event at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center on June 13.

Genova Technologies has 150 total employees, 40 of whom work in Cedar Rapids, said Dawn Ainger, president of Genova Technologies.

"We'll be looking to open more offices within the next 18 months and expand our footprint in Cedar Rapids," Ainger said.

Upper Midwest winners will now go on to compete at the national level. Award winners in several national categories will be announced in November.