SimpliVity

How do you measure the economic impact of a business? Judges of MassEcon's Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards will make that determination after hearing pitches from 21 finalist companies from across the state Wednesday night, a final phase of the annual contest that recognizes companies that are making their mark on the Massachusetts economy.

SimpliVity of Westborough and the Chinese computer hardware manufacturer Lenovo have agreed to a deal in which SimpliVity's data virtualization technology will be included with some of Lenovo's servers, the companies announced Thursday.

SimpliVity has raised $175 million in Series D funding, the Westborough-based technology company said Tuesday.

It's our annual look at three business executives in Central Massachusetts - and one organization - that have made big differences. This year's honorees come from four distinct industries. Here are their stories.