Steve Sonnenberg, co-founder and CEO of Awardco, knows what it means to face failure, embrace curiosity, and rebuild.

A 2006 graduate of Utah Valley University with a degree in computer science, Sonnenberg’s path has been anything but ordinary. A season on the UVU basketball team, which ended with a torn ACL, taught him discipline, teamwork, and resilience — lessons that were further reinforced through his entrepreneurial ventures. Both experiences would prove essential for what was to come.

Sonnenberg’s first startup grew to a multimillion-dollar valuation before collapsing in 2011. “I walked away from everything I had built,” he recalls. “That was difficult. But UVU taught me how to push through hard things.” Left with nothing, he borrowed $5,000, purchased the domain Awardco.com, and began rebuilding — this time with lessons learned and a new mindset.

With a focus on curiosity and innovation, Sonnenberg partnered with his cousin to build a platform that reimagined employee recognition. Powered by Amazon Business, Awardco offers millions of reward options with no markups, making recognition more impactful and cost-effective for businesses worldwide. Today, the platform supports over 2.5 million users across 140 countries and partners with some of the largest global brands.

Awardco’s growth has been extraordinary. By 2021, the company achieved a $900 million valuation, and today, it boasts nearly 600 employees, with its headquarters in Utah.

“Success didn’t happen overnight,” Sonnenberg explains. “We embraced challenges, listened to feedback, and kept improving. It’s about staying curious and persistent, even when you encounter challenges.”

Sonnenberg’s journey has come full circle as UVU now uses Awardco to recognize Wolverines’ achievements. Programs like Wolverine Sightings and the Distinguished Employee Awards bring recognition and appreciation to faculty, staff, and students alike.

“Exceptional care is huge for us,” says UVU Learning and Development Coordinator Brooklyn Slade. “That’s why we do what we do: Because we care that our employees feel valued and feel like they’ve been invested in. We hope that this practice spreads throughout the culture of UVU and that supervisors develop their employees and care to see progress in their employees.”

Reflecting on his journey, Sonnenberg shares advice for future Wolverines: “Be a curious explorer. Challenge the status quo. Take quality chances. And keep believing in yourself and the impact you can make — because you're capable of amazing things."

To learn more about Awardco, visit www.award.co/about.

Steve Sonnenberg speaks at the 2024 UVU President's Scholarship Ball.