Two startup support organizations, an economic development specialist and a social venture focused on alleviating food insecurity were among the winners Wednesday of the fifth annual Ecosystem Impact Awards.

Hosted by Halifax startup hub Volta at Dalhousie University’s Ocean Sciences Building, the awards recognize founders and members of support organizations who have made significant contributions to the innovation ecosystem or society at large.

The event included five awards: the Catalyst Award for an organization that has fostered cohesion and growth within the startup community; the Community Leader Award for a company or founder directly contributing to the growth of the ecosystem; the Disruptor Award for an exceptionally fast-growing startup; and two Positive Impact Awards for social and environmental leadership, one for an organization and one for an individual. 

The nominees included groups originally hailing from as far west as Toronto in two cases, but with senior leaders in Atlantic Canada.

“We have an incredibly strong community commitment to entrepreneurship and this year’s record number of award nominations is a clear indication of that,” said Volta CEO Matt Cooper in a statement.

“The 2023 winners and nominees represent the best of our region's innovation and support. We're excited to showcase their achievements and eager to see their future contributions to our region."

The Catalyst Award went to Genesis, which has become the go-to innovation hub in Newfoundland. Created in 1997 and bolstered by a longstanding relationship with Memorial University, the organization is likely best known for its three-year Enterprise incubator, though it offers a range of services, including participating in the federal Start-up Visa Program.

The Community Leader Award, meanwhile, was won by the Halifax Partnership’s Minder Singh, who has previously worked on businesses ranging from reviving ailing petroleum companies to export development consulting. At the Partnership, an economic development group, he is a senior account executive, acting as a key point of contact for many of the private sector companies the organization supports.

CapIntel, which sells software for asset managers and financial advisors, won the disruptor award. The company, founded in 2019 by CEO James Rockwood, was previously headquartered in Toronto, but Rockwood is now Halifax-based. It offers a platform for advisors to share a range of information with their clients, as well as receive instructions. Last year, Rockwood’s team raised US$11 million or about C$14.8 million at today’s exchange rates. The deal was led by New York-based venture capital shop FinTech Collective.

“The wealth management industry continues to benefit from technology to enhance client experiences, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this transformation,” said Rockwood at the time.

And for the Positive Impact Award, the company winner was social venture Square Roots, while the individual winner was Shelley Hessian, regional IP counsellor for Nova Scotia at startup support group Springboard Atlantic.

Hessian previously led Invest Nova Scotia’s Startup Yard incubation facility at the Dartmouth-based Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship, while Square Roots is a community group located in the Halifax suburb of Sackville that sells large bundles of produce at low prices to people who need affordable, nutritious food.