“The positive disruptive spirit and diversity of Canada’s entrepreneurial community have become the backbone of our economy, and a key contributor to the nation’s prosperity” said Victoria Lennox, Chief Executive Officer of Startup Canada. “We are honored to recognize this year’s innovators and business builders and proud to support organizations across Canada on their entrepreneurial endeavors”
The Ceremony started with a candid roundtable discussion with award recipients, national corporate partners, and led by Ernest Manning, Founder of Manning Foundation and Manning Innovation Awards and Victoria Lennox, CEO, Startup Canada where participants discussed the challenges that entrepreneurs are facing across Canada, and strategies to foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in our country.
After the Ceremony, heartfelt closing remarks were delivered by the Honorable Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, nineteen vibrant and successful entrepreneurs were awarded for their journey, accomplishments and contributions to the entrepreneurial scene.
The 2019 National Startup Canada Awards Winners are:
Startup Canada Entrepreneur Promotion Award
Sponsored by Intuit QuickBooks
Larry Shaw
CEO, Ignite Fredericton and Knowledge Park
Startup Canada Entrepreneur Support Award
Sponsored by Intuit QuickBooks
OSMO
Patrick Gagné, CEO
Startup Canada Community of the Year Award
Sponsored by Sovereign Insurance
Startup Peel
Melloney Campbell, Community Leader
Startup Canada Community Leader of the Year Award
Sponsored by Sovereign Insurance
Colin Weston
Startup Vancouver
Startup Canada Policy Innovation Award
Sponsored by Mastercard
Dr. Ailish Campbell
Chief Trade Commissioner & Assistant Deputy Minister, International Business Development
Startup Canada High-Growth Entrepreneurship
Sponsored by Mastercard
LowestRates.ca
Justin L. Thouin, Co- Founder and CEO
Startup Canada Global Entrepreneurship Award
Sponsored by UPS Canada
Hopper
Joost Ouwerkerk, Co-Founder and CTO
Startup Canada Innovation Award
Sponsored by Intuit QuickBooks
PROOF
Benjamin Sanders, CEO
Startup Canada Social Enterprise Award
Sponsored by Sovereign Insurance
Arctic Fresh Inc.
Rhoda Angutimarik, CEO
Startup Canada Woman Entrepreneur Award
Sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada
Mandy Potter
Founder & CEO, Jane
Startup Canada Indigenous Entrepreneur Award
Sponsored by Mastercard
Bobbie Racette
Founder & CEO, Virtual Gurus
Startup Canada Newcomer Entrepreneur Award
Sponsored by UPS
Miryam Lazarte
CEO, LatAm Startups
Startup Canada Young Entrepreneur Award
Sponsored by Scotiabank
Claire Du
Co- Founder, AI4Youth Canada
Startup Canada Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by Scotiabank
Vickie Joseph
Co- Founder, Groupe 3737 & President, V Kosmetik
Startup Canada Adam Chowaniec Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by UPS
Dr. Rustum Southwell
Interim CEO, Black Business Initiative
The ceremony also recognized and celebrated the winners of the The Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards for their outstanding trajectory and their contribution in bringing innovation and disruption to their respective industries. This exciting new addition to the Startup Canada Awards family, will help amplify the work that entrepreneurs and innovators are doing in Canada.
“When Innovation is united with Entrepreneurship, Canada’s prosperity is increased. The Manning Awards Foundation has long championed the recognition of Innovators and Startup Canada has long championed the recognition of Entrepreneurs said Preston Manning, Founder of Manning Foundation. Going forward we will together celebrate their contributions to Canada’s economic growth and social development”
In 2019, the Foundation will grant four Innovation Awards. The Innovation Awards consist of the $100,000 Principal Award; the $25,000 David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction; and two innovation awards of $10,000 for those Canadian innovators who do not have the benefit of research facilities or advanced education in the field of their innovation.
The 2019 Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards are:
Principle Innovation Award
Andrew Vickerson, Oliver Kaulfuss & Reed Radley
Co- Founders, Enterra Feed Corporation
David E. Mitchell Award of Distinction
Geoff Clarkson
Chief Technical Officer, UltraAnalytix System
Arthur J.E. Child Award Foundation Innovation Award
Scott Gravelle
CEO, ATTAbotics
Facebook Canada Innovation Award
Katherine Homuth
CEO, Sheertex
The evening’s guests included leading Canadian investors, innovators, anchor company executives, and government officials.
The Startup Canada Awards are proudly supported by presenting sponsors Intuit Quickbooks and Sovereign Insurance; in partnership with Business Development Bank of Canada, UPS Canada, Scotiabank, and Mastercard Canada.
For more information and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Matthew Curtis
Media Relations, Startup Canada
1-613-627-0787 ext 103
matthew.curtis@startupcan.ca
About the Startup Canada Awards
The Startup Canada Awards celebrate and distinguish outstanding achievement in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship.
The objectives of the awards are to:
- Celebrate those working to advance entrepreneurship in Canada;
- Increase awareness of the importance of strengthening Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture; and,
- Incentivize efforts and elevate the ambitions of the Canadian entrepreneurial community.
For more information, visit www.startupaward.ca.
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is Canada’s entrepreneurship organization. Startup Canada promotes and supports the success and growth of Canada’s 3.5 million entrepreneurs, with a mandate to foster economic growth, competitiveness, and prosperity through entrepreneurship. Since launching, Startup Canada’s programming has directly supported more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots Startup Community organizations. Working with over 750 ecosystem partners, including accelerators, incubators, research parks, educational institutions, economic development agencies, associations, and government programs, Startup Canada serves entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, industries, and stages of development, with a network reflective of Canada’s diverse population. Learn more at startupcan.ca.
About Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards
The Ernest C. Manning Innovation Awards have been called the most prestigious in Canada. Since 1981, when Calgary oilman and philanthropist David E. Mitchell created the Foundation, it has recognized over 2800 nominees and awarded over $4.5M to 160 Manning Laureates. Their innovations span all areas of human endeavor, improving the lives of Canadians and others around the world while adding value to our nation’s economy. In all cases, the innovators have demonstrated entrepreneurial success.
