While working toward his degree in business administration and information systems at Fresno State, 23-year-old junior Mike Pronovost is receiving national recognition for his success as an entrepreneur.

In 2009, Pronovost launched Pronovost Technologies, best-known for the online accelerator technology Powerband Internet.

“It went from a project out of my bedroom to an Internet company that caught the interest of Microsoft, Citrix, Verizon and Wal-Mart,” said Pronovost. His enterprise recently was named Best Tech Company of 2012 at Empact 100, an invitation-only gathering of the nation’s top 100 young entrepreneurs.

Pronovost was chosen to participate in the Empact Summit, a gathering of leaders from Fortune 100 CEOs to President Obama’s chief technology officer, to disucss small business stimulus and the future of technology in the United States. This was Pronovost’s second visit to the White House, where he gave a speech to the 2011 Empact 100 entrepreneurs.

In February, Pronovost was recognized as the 2012 College Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Powerband technology is in the midst of an acquisition as Pronovost Technologies focuses on integrating technology into education. The company is developing software to help teachers incorporate tablets into the classroom to better analyze student progress.