TechPoint, the nonprofit, industry-led growth initiative for Indiana’s technology ecosystem, recognized multiple High Alpha individuals and portfolio companies during the 26th annual Mira Awards held on Thursday, February 27th.
The Mira Awards, hosted by TechPoint, celebrates the best of tech in Indiana. This year, TechPoint honored 20 Indiana tech sector innovators and tech talent development leaders at the gala, commonly known as “The Oscars of Indiana Tech.” High Alpha team members Amanda Carroll and Ashley Blevins, and portfolio companies Backstroke, Zylo, and High Alpha Innovation were all honored as finalists in the Emerging Leader, Startup of the Year, Tech Innovation of the Year, and Innovation Service Provider of the year respectively.
Startup of the Year: Backstroke (Finalist)
TechPoint's Startup of the Year award recognizes high-potential, high-growth companies that are five years old or younger and have shown the greatest development/progress and market traction, including significant year-over-year growth and a solid management team. High Alpha Studio company Backstroke was named a finalist in the category.
About Backstroke
Backstroke launched its generative AI messaging platform for B2C brands and retailers in June 2024. The company is led by Co-Founders R.J. Talyor, Allison Talyor, Egan Montgomery, and Tyler Hill.
Tech Innovation of the Year: Zylo (Finalist)
TechPoint's Tech Innovation of the Year award recognizes R&D and product development efforts and other trailblazing discoveries that are on path to ground-breaking products that have significant impact potential to transform a product category or an entire industry.
About Zylo
Zylo, a SaaS management platform that transforms how companies manage and optimize their SaaS investments, launched out of the High Alpha Studio in 2016. The company won Scale-up of the Year at the 2020 and 2023 Mira Awards, and employees Chad Hinen, Sarah Mangan, and Daven Combs were all recognized as finalists for the Emerging Leader Award this year.
Innovation Service Provider of the Year: High Alpha Innovation (Finalist)
TechPoint's Innovation Service Provider of the Year award recognizes professional services firms or internal corporate teams that are pioneering transformative technology solutions or providing other professional innovation services that demonstrate excellence, creativity, and impact for clients or the industry at large. High Alpha Studio company High Alpha Innovation was named a finalist in the category.
About High Alpha Innovation
Launched out of High Alpha in 2020, High Alpha Innovation is a venture builder that partners with large organizations to co-create advantaged startups like DIAL Ventures/Gold & Black Agrifood Fund, which was a finalist for the AgriNovus Indiana AgBioscience Innovation Award this year as well. High Alpha Innovation’s Nolan Bernard, Director of Portfolio and Network, was also honored as a finalist for the Emerging Leader Award this year.
Tech25 Emerging Leader Award: Amanda Carroll and Ashley Blevins (Finalists)
The Tech 25 Emerging Leader Award recognizes one of the Tech 25 awardees who stands out and recognizes this high–achieving individual as a reward for their many contributions to their own businesses as well as their service in our community. High Alpha Executive Assistant and Director of Real Estate Amanda Carroll and High Alpha Talent Director Ashley Blevins were both named to the Tech25 class of 2025, and were honored as finalists for the Emerging Leader Award.
Congratulations to All Winners and Finalists!
High Alpha is a proud supporter of TechPoint and the Mira Awards. To see the full list of finalists and winners, visit techpoint.org.
Full list of High Alpha and High Alpha portfolio representation at the 2025 Mira Awards:
Emerging Leader Award
- Amanda Carroll, High Alpha, Finalist
- Ashley Blevins, High Alpha, Finalist
- Nolan Bernard, High Alpha Innovation, Finalist
- Daven Combs, Zylo, Finalist
- Chad Hinen, Zylo, Finalist
- Sarah Mangan, Zylo, Finalist
Startup of the Year
- Backstroke, Finalist
Tech Innovation of the Year
- Zylo, Finalist
Innovation Service Provider of the Year
- High Alpha Innovation, Finalist
