Walton College M.B.A. Graduates Win Edison Award for Innovation and Excellence

Photo Submitted

Nhiem Cao (left) and Kevin Oden pose with their trophies at the Edison Awards gala.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A team of M.B.A. graduates from the Sam M. Walton College of Business was awarded a 2012 Edison Award for creating a more eco-friendly plastic grocery bag. CycleWood Solutions Inc., a company started in the Walton College’s entrepreneurship program, developed the concept for a biodegradable, compostable, single-use plastic bag to replace the high-density, polyethylene bags currently used in stores.

An Edison Award, named after the prolific American inventor Thomas Edison, is one of the highest accolades a company can receive in the name of innovation and business. The cycleWood bag was assessed by a panel of more than 3,000 judges and, after a long peer-review process, the team was presented with a bronze Edison Award.

“Winning an Edison Award provides validation that our work is innovative and compelling,” said Nhiem Cao, president and CEO of cycleWood Solutions Inc. “It shows that our technology has the potential to be a game changer. Being in the company of other Edison Award winners, such as P&G and Ford, adds some credibility and helps build our brand. We are honored to have the privilege of not only being considered for an Edison Award, but also to win one.”

Cao received an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas and later returned to get his Master of Business Administration degree. He has 10 years of manufacturing and consulting experience. The other team members are Chief Operating Officer Kevin Oden, Chief Marketing Officer Priscila Silva and Chief Business Development Officer Jack Avery.

The Edison Awards Gala was held on April 26 at the New York Academy of Sciences in downtown Manhattan.