Vance Kershner has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Pete du Pont Freedom Award. Kershner is the founder of LabWare, Inc., a global software company, and serves as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Vance Kershner is a risk-taker and change maker,” said foundation board chair Thère du Pont. “Like my father, Vance believes in championing bold ideas, giving back to the state, and building entrepreneurial ecosystems that are truly impactful. We are thrilled to honor Vance with the Pete du Pont Freedom Award this year.”
After a decade in DuPont’s engineering department, Kershner founded LabWare in 1987. LabWare is headquartered in Wilmington with offices in 25 countries. The company has a global presence in laboratory software.
In addition to his role as LabWare’s CEO, Kershner is also a general partner of the Delaware-based seed and early-stage venture capital firm Leading Edge Ventures. He serves on the board of governors of Multiplying Good, which recognizes, inspires, and activates volunteerism and public service in communities, workplaces, and schools across America.
In 2015, Vance was a Distinguished Career Award honoree in the University of Delaware’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
“It’s an honor to receive such a prestigious award and be recognized with such an accomplished group of former honorees,” said Kershner. “LabWare, and me personally, have tried to be supportive and promote the development of new ideas and talented entrepreneurs, whether with students or in the workforce and provide assistance to help overcome some of the challenges they face. Governor duPont changed the business climate in Delaware, using legislation to create new industries and one of the most business-friendly states in the Country. I only hope LabWare, myself, and my children live up to the examples that have been established before us.”
The Pete du Pont Freedom Award honors Pete du Pont, Delaware’s 68th governor, who delivered Delaware from harsh fiscal times into an age of economic growth by working with the legislature, business, and community leaders, and educators.
Recent Freedom Award recipients include MBNA America’s leadership team, Charlie Horn, Carol Ammon, and Mike Castle. The award ceremony serves as a key fundraising effort to support the Foundation’s work to promote innovation and enterprise for all through its Reinventing Delaware Program and the Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem (E3).
The award will be formally presented to Kershner this fall during the annual Pete du Pont Freedom Award ceremony at the Hotel du Pont on September 26th. Tickets are on sale now.
Further information on the foundation is available at www.petedupontfreedomfoundation.org.
