Several tech ventures and two individuals from the Cape Fear area were recognized at the second annual Full Steam Ahead awards in Durham on Thursday evening. WRAL Tech Wire presented the awards.

Tom Looney, one of the managing principals of the Seahawk Innovation Fund tied to UNCW’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), was a finalist for the Steward Award. The award recognizes individuals who serve as mentors or advisors to startups.

Jim Roberts, director of the CIE, was one of several recipients of an “I Think I Can” award, given to entrepreneurs who have taken on notable challenges. The awards organizers noted Roberts’ recent move to Wilmington to spur entrepreneurial activity in the area, adding that Roberts “has long been active in venture capital, economic development and entrepreneurship across the state from Charlotte to Asheville to the Triangle – and now the coast.”

Two Wilmington companies were finalists for the Golden Spike award – an honor focused on a “solid, grind-it-out day-to-day company,” according to the WRAL Tech Wire website. Wilmington-based CloudWyze and Castle Branch were among seven finalists in that category, with the award going to Raleigh-based Red Hat.

Full Steam’s nine finalists for the Subway Award – recognizing a venture emerging from “stealth mode,” included Wilmington-based nCino, Live Oak Bank’s software spinoff, and NextGlass, a web-based wine recommendation service. Neuse River Networks was the category winner.

Rick Smith, editor of WRAL Tech Wire, said there were far more nominations submitted from the Wilmington area this year compared with last year, thanks in large part to Roberts’ efforts.

“Jim and others have been very active in soliciting and submitting nominations for [the Full Steam Ahead awards],” Smith said after the release of the finalists list.

Online voting by WRAL Tech Wire subscribers determined the winners in all categories except for Lifetime Service and Special Achievement.