5/9/2005 -- Cisco Systems announced Wednesday the kickoff of its annual Growing with Technology Awards contest, which recognizes the creative ways small and medium-sized businesses use networking technology to improve their operations and services.

“These awards have special meaning at Cisco, especially since we are committed to helping small and medium-sized businesses succeed by utilizing the power of technology. Last year, we received more than 700 entries from companies and organizations demonstrating technical innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Peter Alexander, vice president of commercial market segment at Cisco Systems, in a statement.

Contestants will compete for prizes in five categories: sales and marketing, customer relationship, operational excellence, public sector and nonprofit. Judges will select one grand-prize winner and two runner-up winners in each category.

Each grand-prize winner will receive $25,000 worth of Cisco networking equipment. First runner-up winners get $15,000 worth and second runner-up winners will go home with $10,000 worth. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in October in San Jose, Calif.

The contest is open to companies and nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada with staffs of less than 1,000 employees.

The deadline for entries is June 17. For more information, go here. -Dan Hong