Two San Leandro Businesses Named Finalists for the 2024 East Bay Innovation Awards

On Thursday, March 28, 2024, the 11th annual East Bay Innovation Awards returns to Downtown Oakland where the 2024 awardees will be revealed. This year, two local businesses have been named as finalists – a testament to San Leandro’s legacy as a leader in innovation and advanced manufacturing.

The fast-growing lightweight lithium battery manufacturer Cuberg is a finalist in the Advanced Manufacturing category. Cuberg’s lithium metal batteries will power longer-range aircraft, eliminate carbon emissions from cars and trucks, and pave the way for exciting new mobility applications. Cuberg is building a lithium metal battery system with exceptional performance and safety to unlock the true potential of all-electric vehicles.

In the Food Manufacturing category, Torani Syrups & Flavors has grabbed a finalist spot. Torani is a nearly 100-year old syrup and flavor manufacturer that moved its headquarters to San Leandro in 2020. Torani is best known for introducing the Italian soda to America and creating the world’s first flavored latte.

Both finalists are among San Leandro’s largest employers.

These finalists will join East Bay Economic Development Alliance in March at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center for a fun-filled evening presented by Sutter Health East Bay/San Francisco and hosted by Gia Vang of NBC Bay Area.

Arranged and hosted by the East Bay EDA, the East Bay Innovation Awards is the premier program of its kind that celebrates and honors the extraordinary companies and organizations that contribute to the East Bay’s legacy of innovation.

San Leandro has a solid track record when it comes to the East Bay Innovation Awards. Below is a list of San Leandro innovators who have won awards in the past:

OSIsoft (now Aveva) – Technology – 2015
PilotCity – Education – 2018
PrimeRoots – Food Manufacturing – 2019
Porifera – Sustainability – 2020
UrbanBloc – Built Environment – 2020