Halifax-based accelerator Volta’s Ecosystem Impact Awards are set to take place in early June, to recognize the leaders and supporters in Atlantic Canada’s startup ecosystem.
“We all have a role to play in creating a more innovative and prosperous future for Atlantic Canada.”
Through the awards show and a summer party, Volta is looking to celebrate Atlantic Canada’s startup community with five awards that will be presented to eligible founders, companies, and their supporters, on June 6 in the Volta Event Space. Nominees must have a home base in either Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland to be eligible.
“We all have a role to play in creating a more innovative and prosperous future for Atlantic Canada,” said Jesse Rodgers, CEO of Volta. “The Ecosystem Impact Awards are our way of celebrating the individuals and organizations that are contributing to this goal in a meaningful way, and serve as a source of inspiration for those who want to drive growth in the region.”
The five categories for the awards are:
The Corporate Supporter Award: A corporate partner who has been a supporter of the tech startup community in Atlantic Canada. This partner actively boosts the development of the region’s rapidly-growing technology sector by donating time and resources, while providing mentorship, training and more.
The Positive Impact Award: A founder or company that has developed and implemented solutions for social, cultural, or environmental issues, to the benefit of the community.
The Disruptor Award: An up-and-coming business in Atlantic Canada that has experienced significant entrepreneurial success over the past year. Success can be measured by a company solving a technological need, capturing a new sector or market, disrupting a service or market segment, developing applications of product or service, or having the ability to obtain traction in the international marketplace.
The Catalyst Award: An organization that has helped foster cohesion and growth in the Atlantic Canadian startup ecosystem, by building relationships across organizations, helping with the growth of the startup community, or reducing barriers for startups to succeed.
The Community Leader Award: A company that has directly impacted the growth and development of the entrepreneurial landscape in Atlantic Canada, giving back through the donation of time, mentorship, and serving as a resource in a peer-to-peer environment.
In February, Volta opened applications for its fourth cohort pitching competition, with a pledged investment of up to $25,000 to each winner. Volta’s Innovation Hub houses more than 40 different tech ventures, three innovation outposts, and five service and community partners, that employ more than 300 people who work out of Volta’s space. Along with investments, Volta offers cohort companies workspace, programming assistance, and mentorship.
“The innovation industry is critical to the future economic strength of our region,” said Chris Ronald, RBC regional president of Atlantic Provinces. “RBC is excited to be part of the inaugural Ecosystem Impact Awards and we look forward to celebrating the people and businesses who are creating an impact locally and globally.”
Nominations can be made here before midnight on May 15. Tickets for the Ecosystem Impact Awards and Summer Party can be found here. All proceeds from ticket sales will support the Mental Health Foundation, according to Volta.
Image courtesy tec_estromberg via Flickr