Wilmington-based banking systems software company nCino was in the winners’ circle at the N.C. Technology Association’s awards event Thursday evening, capturing Use of Technology Award in the Finance and Banking category.
 
Wilmington companies that made the finalist round for NCTA Awards were DocsInk and WaterPlayUSA. Both of them, as well as nCino, were nominated in multiple categories.

Asked what made nCino rise to the top of the Finance and Banking category, Marc Montoro, NCTA's senior director for programs and communications said in an email,"For the Use of Technology awards, we look at how companies leverage technology to make a significant impact on the industry. ... nCino’s cloud technology helped their client banks significantly increase in loan volume and decrease in loan closing time, while increasing staff efficiency and reducing operating costs."

Wilmington had several nods in early announcements about the technology awards. Early last month, NCTA named CastleBranch Corp. CEO and founder Brett Martin its Tech Exec of the Year, and included nCino, DocsInk and Next Glass among its Top Ten Startups to Watch.
 
One other Wilmington entrepreneur shared the limelight as his new employer, Lea(R)n, was named a winner in the Use of Technology–Education category. Alex Vidor, who developed HUGO, an app for teachers, found that his educational entrepreneurship experience was of great interest to Raleigh-based Lea(R)n, which hired him in July.
 
All those companies were feted at Thursday’s award ceremony, held in Raleigh.
 
Wilmington home-grown companies are assuming an increasingly prominent place on the statewide technology stage, said Jim Roberts, executive director of University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He said Friday he hopes the success of local companies in tech competitions will give other area startups the courage to participate as well.

NCTA hosts the annual awards program to recognize companies and individuals who “demonstrate excellence, innovation and leadership in each of its 21 categories,” according to the group's website.