Dartmouth-based startup Aruna Revolution, which produces compostable hygiene products, was named Innovative Company of the Year at the 2026 Halifax Business Awards last week.
Led by CEO Rashmi Prakash, Aruna was selected from five innovation-driven finalists at the annual awards program hosted by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. The company focuses on reducing the environmental impact of traditional menstrual products, which contribute to landfill waste, water pollution and soil degradation.
Last year, Aruna won the $100,000 Impact Investment Prize at Startupfest 2025 in Montreal, and reached an investment agreement worth $300,000 when appearing on the CBC show Dragons' Den. At the time, the company highlighted the scale of the problem it is addressing, noting that roughly 20 billion menstrual products and their packaging are discarded in North American landfills each year.
The other finalists in the Innovative Company category in the Halifax awards were 3DBioFibR, Good Robot Brewing Company, Nova Graphene and Oberland Agriscience Inc.
The Halifax Business Awards recognize organizations and individuals across a range of sectors for business performance, leadership and community impact. Below is a list of winners and finalists announced at this year’s event.
New Business of the Year
Winner: Celebrate Your Curves Fashion
Finalists: AI-First Consulting; Halifax Tides FC; Jennifer Barnable (Sole Proprietor); Soberish Mocktail Shoppe
Small Business of the Year
Winner: One Day Affair
Finalists: Happily Hitched Halifax; IYALODE African Wholesale Market; Liquid Assets of Nova Scotia; uptreeHR Inc.
Not-for-Profit of the Year
Winner: Feed Nova Scotia
Finalists: DASC (Dartmouth Adult Services Centre); Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia; Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia; TEAM Work Cooperative
Export Business of the Year
Winner: Maritimes Immigration Consulting
Finalists: Carson Exports; Kuehne+Nagel Canada Ltd.; Smart CoachÔ
Business of the Year
Winner: Halifax International Airport Authority
Finalists: EastPoint; Integrated Staffing; Parkwood Home Care; Remember When HealthCare
Business Leader of the Year
Winner: Lillian (Missy) Searl, Period Equity Alliance Society
Finalists: Bassima Jurdak, Access Language Services Inc.; Donna Williamson, Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia; Bradley Farquhar, Purple Cow Internet; Shane Kennedy, SA Kennedy Financial Group Inc.
