INDIANAPOLIS—Oct. 19, 2007—The Cornea Research Foundation of America, founded and led by Dr. Francis Price, Jr. M.D., owner of Price Vision Group, was awarded the Social Enterprise award by the Indiana University Kelley School of Business Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation last night.

Forty Indianapolis-area companies were honored in the third annual Indiana Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction hosted by the organization at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.  The awards were given in four categories:  Growth Award (for companies with at least 35% growth over two years), Spirit Award (for high standards in risk-taking and perseverance), Innovator Award (for pioneering new systems, products or best practices) and Social Enterprise Award (for nonprofits with social missions that have adopted entrepreneurial attributes).

Of the 100 entrants, 40 companies were named finalists in the four categories. The Cornea Research Foundation was joined by Second Helpings and Peoples' Burn Foundation in receiving the Social Enterprise Award.

"This award is a wonderful tribute to our dedicated staff who are committed to our mission of giving people back the use of their eyes through research, innovation, service to humanity and education," said Dr. Price.

The companies on the list of finalists employ nearly 6,000 people in Indiana and have total revenue of $600 million. The dean of the IU entrepreneurship program, Dr. Donald Kuratko, said, "There is a new culture of growth in Indiana that is having a measurable and significant impact on the state's economy.  The companies here tonight demonstrate the power of entrepreneurs to convert their dreams into reality; we can all be proud of their contributions and their success in helping to change the world." 

The Cornea Research Foundation of America is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit educational organization that depends on donations, grants, and planned gifts to conduct research and publish findings. The organization was founded by Dr. Francis Price, Jr., M.D., in 1988 with a mission to establish a world center for clinical research and education specializing in corneal disease, corneal transplantation and intraocular lens surgery. The Foundation houses one of the world’s largest data banks of corneal transplant information available to medical professionals.

Since its inception, the Foundation has been led by Dr. Price and his passion for innovation and lifelong learning. To date, CRFA has participated in 70 clinical and investigational studies and published over 90 papers and manuscripts. The Foundation hosts seminars regularly for physicians, as well as patients, to share developments in ophthalmology.