North Carolina’s role in the rapidly emerging world of digital entertainment was demonstrated quite clearly on Thursday night when the North Carolina Technology Association unveiled its annual 21 Awards winners.

Motricity and Summus, both of which are deeply involved in mobile entertainment and applications, walked away with the Private Company of the Year and the Consumer Technology Company of the Year awards respectively.

Motricity is a developer of mobile content and applications and recently closed on $30 million in venture financing. In addition to announcing a recently deal with Virgin Mobile USA for hosting of that company’s gaming community, Motricitity has several deals in the works and is continuously expanding its management team with new hires.

Summus is a developer of online games and applications as well as electronic wallpapers such as Sports Illustrated swimsuit models. A poker game for mobile users is among its most popular products.

Also taking home an award was Inlet Technologies, a high-profile startup that is focused on high-definition TV and movie content. Its compression technology has drawn global attention as a means to reduce the cost of HDTV production.

“The 11th annual NCTA 21 Awards program continues our tradition of celebrating the best in the technology industry in our state,” said Joan Myers, president and chief executive officer of the NCTA. “I’d like to congratulate our finalists and award recipients for their passion to lead, innovate and create. Tonight is not just about showcasing our success but nurturing the future of the technology industry in North Carolina.”

Nearly 500 people packed the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary for the event. Grant Thornton, an accounting, tax and business advisory firm, coordinated the awards selections.

“North Carolina continues to nurture a strong and vibrant tradition of technology development, entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Mike McGuire, Carolinas Managing Partner for Grant Thornton. “The NCTA 21 awards celebrate North Carolina’s accomplishments but also provide a valuable tool for incubating new ideas and fostering the important relationships that will spur the technology industry in our state. Grant Thornton would like to congratulate the finalists and award winners on a job well done and thank NCTA for its leadership and efforts to promote the technology community in North Carolina.”

The complete list of winners includes:

  • Communications Company of the Year Award: Tekelec

  • Consumer Technology Company of the Year Award: Summus

  • Corporate Citizenship of the Year Award: Progress Energy

  • Corporate Education Company of the Year Award: EMC Corporation

  • Early Stage Company of the Year Award: Inlet Technologies

  • Electronics Company of the Year Award: RF Micro Devices

  • Healthcare/Pharmaceutical Company of the Year Award: Icagen

  • IT Support Services Company of the Year Award: Peak 10

  • Large Company of the Year Award: Red Hat

  • Media Company of the Year Award: News 14 Carolina

  • Mid-Size Company of the Year Award: Raindrop Geomagic

  • NCTA Volunteer of the Year Award: Jeff Barber of PricewaterhouseCoopers

  • Private Company of the Year Award: Motricity

  • Public Company of the Year Award: Nucor Corporation

  • Public Leadership in Technology Person of the Year Award: North Carolina State Senator Tony Rand

  • Software Company of the Year Award: Misys Healthcare Systems

  • Top Customer Service Company of the Year Award: SAS

  • Top Government / Non-Profit Technology Organization of the Year Award: Futures 4 Kids

  • Top Growth Company of the Year Award: CommScope, Inc.

  • Top VC Invested Company of the Year Award: Targacept

  • Lifetime Achievement Award Olin H. Broadway, Jr.

    NCTA: www.nc-tech-org