December 4, 2020, Peterborough, NH - Being an entrepreneur requires adapting, innovating and being able to recognize and seize opportunity when it arises. For over 30 years, Bob Wilkins has consistently created opportunity by developing ideas, launching and growing companies and being a market leader. As a result of this lifelong work, the New Hampshire Tech Alliance named Wilkins its 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) at a virtual event on December 4, 2020.
EOY is a signature event of the Tech Alliance and has been recognizing individuals who make invaluable contributions to New Hampshire's technology and business community since 1988. During that time, more than 50 EOY winners have developed or grown companies with highly recognizable brands that employ tens of thousands of people and have been major economic drivers for New Hampshire.
Wilkins is currently CEO of SoClean, Inc., the smart health technology company that offers a comprehensive line of innovative health and wellness products. The company, headquartered in Peterborough, was recently named a "best company to work for" and the third fastest growing company in New Hampshire by Business NH Magazine. In November, it was ranked as the 134th fastest growing company on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 North America list.
"It is such a great honor to be recognized amongst this prestigious group of entrepreneurs who have contributed so significantly to New Hampshire's economy, generously given back to their communities and, in many cases, have had a worldwide impact through their innovations," Wilkins said.
A serial entrepreneur, Wilkins has founded nine companies. To name just a few, they include Mac's Place, which was acquired by Egghead Software; Zones, one of the first PC catalogers in the industry, and later went public with over $600 million in revenue; ziftrSHOP, the only platform where resellers can manage their eCommerce website sales and marketplaces in one location; and AirTank, which has become a hybrid angel fund and sales/marketing agency. Wilkins holds two technology patents, two game patents and has several patents pending for other software products. He is also an active mentor, investor and donor.
"New Hampshire has a great entrepreneurial culture – I have seen it first hand over the past 25 years. We made a commitment to New Hampshire by relocating SoClean to Peterborough in an effort to support the local and statewide economy. It also allowed us to build an amazing and talented team, many of whom I've worked with in the past. This award really is a team effort and I want to thank them all for their tireless work in supporting SoClean as a smart health technology company," Wilkins added.
In 2020— and in response to the pandemic—the company significantly expanded its product line to include several new health and wellness products. The company, which was already known for being highly community oriented, also created "Masks for New Hampshire," a private and philanthropic-sector initiative to supply at least 250,000 masks to NH healthcare facilities at a time when they were very hard to find. Through SoClean's network and Wilkins' personal contacts, more than $200,000 was raised to support this effort, including significant cash and in-kind donations from SoClean. This resulted in masks being distributed to over 200 healthcare providers.
About SoClean
SoClean Inc. is the smart health technology company. Originally known for its popular sleep equipment maintenance device, the SoClean 2, SoClean now proudly offers a whole line of innovative health and wellness products. From a next-generation indoor air purifier to a high-touch item device disinfector —and soon to be more—these products do the dirty work, so you don't have to. SoClean provides high-quality, aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-use products, all while providing excellent customer support.
About the NH Tech Alliance
The NH Tech Alliance is a statewide technology association dedicated to supporting companies at every stage of growth and development – from startups to established leaders in the global economy. We are committed to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem in NH by building partnerships, enhancing knowledge and shaping public policy.
