As UNC-Wilmington prepares to host today’s Coastal Entrepreneur Awards, local startup Next Glass will already have something to toast about.

The wine selection software venture took home one of two top honors from the North Carolina Technology Association at its State of Technology event last week which showcased some eight startups.

Next Glass was named the winner of the “Best Investment” award through an online poll. The companie received a $12,000 package of cash and in-kind services from NeoNova and iContact.

Two other firms with Wilmington connections, SPSApp.com/Hugo network and SmapYeti, also participated in the NCTA event.

The Coastal Entrepreneur Awards are put on by the UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.

Awards will be presented in numerous categories, including the “Entrepreneur of the Year.”

The attached picture is of (left-to-right) Mike Karnosky, Account Manager, Neo Nova; Dan Burke, Marketing Manager, Neo Nova; Forest Maready, CTO, Next Glass; and RJ Moshay, VP Marketing, Neo Nova.