Manchester, NH, September 17, 2024 – The NH Tech Alliance is proud to announce that Jonathan Strimling, CEO of CleanFiber, is the recipient of the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The award will be presented in person at the annual Innovation Summit taking place on October 3rd at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord.
The Entrepreneur of the Year award was first given out in 1988. In the 36 years that have followed, this award has been presented to the brightest, most innovative individuals in New Hampshire’s tech industry. The award applicants are judged around risk, innovation, growth, competition, profitability and employment.
Jonathan Strimling is a seasoned serial entrepreneur, with deep experience launching technology ventures and driving rapid growth. Jonathan has been based here in NH for 24 years. During that period, he has started and/or turned around three businesses in New Hampshire, including CleanFiber, SharpSpring, and WoodPellets.com.
CleanFiber was founded in 2013 at 844 Elm Street (now The Bookery), and it was the first investment of the Millworks Fund after the company won $50,000 in the first TechOut competition. Under Mr. Strimling’s leadership, CleanFiber has since secured over $125 million in capital and successfully launched full-scale commercial production of its breakthrough carbon storing insulation from a state-of-the-art production facility. This enabled the firm to become the #1 Fastest Growing Manufacturing Firm in America.
Previously, Mr. Strimling led SMTP, a SaaS marketing technology turnaround he initially brought to NH and then took to the NASDAQ, where it acquired and ultimately became known as SharpSpring. SharpSpring ultimately sold to Constant Contact for $240 million. From his technology commercialization firm, US Dynamics, Mr. Strimling also launched WoodPellets.com, an online retailer of heating fuels, which was one of America’s fastest growing online retailers in 2008 and remains based on South River Road in Bedford.
Mr. Strimling has served on the boards of SharpSpring (NASDAQ: SHSP), the Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association, the Biomass Thermal Energy Council, the Alliance for Green Heat, and additional nonprofit and for-profit boards. He also proudly served on the Economic Strategy Commission for the State of New Hampshire. Mr. Strimling received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University earned dual master’s degrees in Engineering and Management from MIT and the Sloan School of Management, as a sponsored student in the Leaders for Global Operations Program, which was aimed at restoring American manufacturing competitiveness.
Mr. Strimling is passionate about working with high performing teams to build great companies. Having worked with teams in Ukraine, he does not take democracy for granted, and he is deeply committed to America’s role in defending democracy globally, including bolstering our own national security and self-sufficiency. In his personal life, Jon loves enjoying the beauty of New Hampshire while swimming at Glen Lake, riding his bike up Mount Uncanoonuc, or just going out for a run or walk.
“We are excited to be awarding Jonathan Strimling the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. CleanFiber was the first recipient of the Millworks Fund, and under Jonathan’s leadership has had such an impressive trajectory since then. The work Jonathan has done is a testament to the importance of the support the NH Tech Alliance provides to the startup ecosystem,” said Julie Demers, Executive Director of the NH Tech Alliance.
Mr. Strimling will be presented with the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year award on October 3rd at the Innovation Summit. The summit will feature innovation and innovators from all over the state. This day-long conference brings together over 200 tech executives, entrepreneurs, investors, legislators and industry partners to talk about the latest trends in tech, such as AI and the challenges of being an entrepreneur in NH.
More information on the program can be found on the Innovation summit website. The October 3rd event is open to the public and tickets are currently available.
About the New Hampshire Tech Alliance
The New Hampshire Tech Alliance (formerly New Hampshire High Tech Council) is a statewide technology association supporting companies at every stage of growth and development from startups to established leaders in the global economy. The Alliance is committed to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem by building partnerships, enhancing knowledge and shaping public policy. For more information, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit nhtechalliance.org, email [email protected] or connect via Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.
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