Startup Canada has named its “mover and shakers” of Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, in the form of its “Startup Awards”.
The Startup Canada Awards are meant to distinguish what the non-profit views as the individuals, communities, organizations and institutions in Canada that have “demonstrated innovation, excellence, impact and outstanding achievement in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship.” Nominations closed on April 12.
“Starting a company is a difficult task; entrepreneurs need a variety of elements to be successful including mentorship, encouragement, talented people, funding and a network of contacts,” said CEO Victoria Lennox. “It is important to recognize and celebrate those working to advance entrepreneurship in Canada; increase awareness of the importance of strengthening Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture; and, elevate the ambitions of the Canadian entrepreneurial community.”
Check out the lucky winners here:
Entrepreneurial Effect Award
Awarded to the individual, group, community, network or organization that has developed and produced a program, tool, research project or event that has had the greatest impact in advancing entrepreneurship in Canada.
Ontario
Winner: Entrepreneurship 101 @ MaRS
Runner-Up: TIM Program
Runner-Up: Humber Launch
Atlantic
Winner: Clarity.fm
Quebec
Winner: International Startup Festival
Prairies
Winner: Launch Party
Runner-Up: Fundica
BC
Winner: Grow Conference
Runner-Up: New Ventures BC
Startup Community of the Year
Awarded to the official Startup Canada Community that has most successfully advanced their local entrepreneur community through both strengthening their local entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture as well as advancing Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem through active engagement and contribution nationally.
Ontario
Winner: Startup Waterloo
Atlantic
Winner: Startup Fredericton
Quebec
Winner: Quebec Startup
Prairies
Winner: Startup Winnipeg (RampUp Manitoba / AssentWorks)
Runner-Up: Startup Calgary
BC
Winner: Startup PG
Most Entrepreneurial Post-Secondary Institution of the Year
Awarded to the college or university that demonstrates the largest commitment and impact in advancing entrepreneurship.
Ontario
Winner: Ryerson University
Runner-Up: University of Waterloo
Runner-Up: Seneca College
Atlantic
Winner: University of New Brunswick
Prairies
Winner: Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Runner-Up: Wilson Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence
BC
Winner: University of Victoria
Runner-Up: Simon Fraser University
Professional Services Company of the Year
Awarded to a professional services firm – e.g. banking, legal, accounting, strategic consulting, etc. – that demonstrates the largest commitment and impact in supporting and investing in entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide.
Ontario
Winner: Ernst & Young
Runner-Up: Deloitte
Atlantic
Winner: McInnes Cooper
Prairies
Winner: Boast Capital
Incubator/ Accelerator of the Year
Awarded to a Canadian incubator or accelerator that demonstrates both innovative approaches and the largest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide.
Ontario
Winner: Communitech
Runner-Up: Invest Ottawa
Atlantic
Winner: Launch 36
Quebec
Winner: FounderFuel
Runner-Up: Accélérateur de création d’entreprises technologiques (ACET), 3000, boulevard de l’Université
Prairies
Winner: Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
Runner-Up: TEC Edmonton
BC
Winner: Growlab
Runner-Up: Wavefront
Government Organization of the Year
Awarded to a municipal, provincial or federal government program, department, office, agency or entity that demonstrates both innovative approaches and the largest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide.
Ontario
Winner: Build in Canada Innovation Program
Prairies
Winner: Women’s Enterprise Initiative
BC
Winner: BC Innovation Council
Non-Profit Support Organization of the Year
Awarded to a non-profit organization that demonstrates both innovative approaches and the largest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide.
Ontario
Winner: MaRS Discovery District
Runner-Up: Ladies Learning Code
Atlantic
Winner: Hub Halifax
Quebec
Winner: La Fondation Montréal inc
Prairies
Winner: Northern Alberta Business Incubator
BC
Winner: CYBF BC
Runner-Up: Launch Academy
Anchor Company of the Year
Awarded to a large private sector firm that demonstrates the largest commitment and impact in supporting and investing in entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities within their community and nation-wide
Ontario
Winner: Microsoft
Runner-Up: Shopify
Quebec
Winner: Videotron
BC
Winner: Hootsuite
Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builder of the Year
Awarded to a Canadian who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally and who has been a leading evangelist and champion of entrepreneurship, demonstrably contributing to more entrepreneurial attitudes, behaviours and activities.
Ontario
Winner: Joel Adams
Runner-Up: Reza Satchu
Atlantic
Winner: Robert Pelley
Quebec
Winner: Gabriel Sundaram
Runner-Up: Phil Telio
Prairies
Winner: Chris Johnson
Runner-Up: Joelle Foster
BC
Winner: Dan Gunn
Runner-Up: Jeff Keen
Entrepreneur Mentor of the Year
Awarded to a Canadian entrepreneur mentor who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally through no-cost mentorship of entrepreneurs as evidenced by their rate of growth.
Ontario
Winner: Sean Wise
Runner-Up: Jeff Dennis
Atlantic
Winner: Robert Zed
Quebec
Winner: LP Maurice
Prairies
Winner: Randy Yatscoff
Runner-Up: Stephen King
BC
Winner: Ray Walia
Runner-Up: Cathy Kuzel
Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year
Awarded to a Canadian educator who has:
- Demonstrated excellence in educating, empowering and equipping entrepreneurship students with the attitudes, skills, experiential learning opportunities and networks needed to pursue successful entrepreneurial ventures;
- Made a significant impact in both fostering student-led entrepreneurship initiatives and motivating senior campus leadership to adopt entrepreneurial policies and priorities; and / or,
- Engaged actively in the local startup community through bringing strudents into the community and bringing the community onto the campus.
Ontario
Winner: Howard Armitage
Runner-Up: Ajay Agrawal
Atlantic
Winner: Dr. Mary Kilfoil
Quebec
Winner: Michael Avedesian
Prairies
Winner: Scott MacAulay
BC
Winner: Brent Mainprize
Media Person of the Year
Awarded to a Canadian media person who has:
- Demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing public awareness about entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial issues and / or
- Leveraged their public voice to champion entrepreneurship through the media and through their community service.
Ontario
Winner: Rick Spence
Runner-Up: Ian Hardy
Atlantic
Winner: Peter Moreira
Prairies
Winner: Martin Cash
BC
Winner: Rob Lewis
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
The Young Entrepreneur Award is a celebration of youth entrepreneurship – reminding us of the importance of cultivating entrepreneurial awareness and acumen both at home and through early education to fuel the next generation of Canada’s great entrepreneurs.
Ontario
Winner: Linda Manziaris
Runner-Up: William Zhou
Prairies
Winner: Mandy Balak
Wolf Blass Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded to a Canadian who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally throughout their lifetime.
Ontario
Winner: Gary Will
Atlantic
Winner: Gerry Pond
Quebec
Winner: John Dobson (Foundation)
Prairies
Winner: Allan Scott
Investor of the Year
Awarded to a Canadian investor who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally through a blend of monetary investment and mentorship.
Prairies
Winner: Randy Thompson
Runner-Up: Dan Park