A number of entrepreneurial businesses in the Inland Empire have used their technological savvy and innovative ideas to become inspiring leaders, bringing jobs and revenue to the regional economy.

Companies such as JensonUSA and Vantage Vehicle International have used their creative talent to withstand, and in some cases even grow, in this weak economy.

Al Karnig, president of Cal-State San Bernardino, had high words of praise for the 23 business owners who were honored at the 7th Annual Spirit of the Entrepreneur, Nov. 18, at the Riverside Convention Center. More than 500 people attended the black-tie gala. The event was presented by CSUSB's Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship. The Business Press is a sponsor of the event.

"It's the recognition that the Inland Empire's economic engine is driven by entrepreneurs," Karnig said. "The other part of it is entrepreneurs in general have drive, discipline, energy, vision."

Many of the companies that received awards have broken new ground, either by leading the way with new developments in online services or by meeting demand for products that are sustainable while offering cost cutting benefits. Still others, have identified a specific industry need, such as in the realm of environmental laboratory testing as in the case of E.S.Babcock & Sons Inc., and filled it.

Another inventive business leader is Michael Pak, CEO of Vantage Vehicle International, Inc. Pak won in the innovator category for his company which produces light-weight, zero-emissions electric vehicles.

Orders are rolling in from cities, universities and governmental agencies for the low-speed utility vans and trucks. The vehicles are appealing to businesses that want to reduce their carbon footprint and save on maintenance and fuel fees.

"We just can't keep up with the orders right now," Pak said.

The company was based in Yorba Linda but moved to Corona in April because more space was needed for its operations .

Pak believes his company is ahead of the curve by manufacturing and assembling electric vehicles. The light trucks and vans are based on utility vehicles used in China.

"A lot of companies are trying to build electric vehicles, but we are already building," he said.

Community Action Partnership of Riverside County might not seem like a traditional entrepreneurial effort. But tell that to Lois Carson, who was honored with the social entrepreneur award. Carson heads the non-profit organization which offers a clearinghouse of services to help low-income residents.

"You try to find new solutions to old problems," Carson said. "And you have to take risks to do that, and that's what being entrepreneurial means. "

The nomination of JensonUSA, Stringer's Gift Baskets (whose products are sold on Web sites such as Drugstore.com) and Organize.com highlighted the fact that the future economic leaders in the Inland Empire could be Web-oriented companies.

JensonUSA, whose headquarters is in Ontario, won in the general entrepreneur category. Mike Cachat, founder and CEO of JensonUSA, started the online cycling catalogue business when he was 16..