Halifax startup hub Volta’s fifth annual Ecosystem Impact Awards are coming on September 20, honouring changemakers from the region's innovation ecosystem.

Slated to be held at Dalhousie University’s Ocean Sciences Building in Halifax, the event is free to attend and aims to highlight startup community members that have fostered economic or social progress.

Last year’s winners included Milk Moovement, which makes supply chain software for the dairy industry and last year raised US$20 million, and Impactful Health R&D, which has developed antimicrobial packaging for fresh fish.

“These remarkable nominees represent the best and brightest in Atlantic Canada’s startup ecosystem, driving positive change and fostering innovation,” said Volta of this year’s shortlist.

Here’s a look at the nominees in each of the four categories:

The Catalyst Award

The Catalyst Award recognizes an organization that has fostered cohesion and growth within the startup community.

The Centre for Women in Business, Halifax

Founded in 1992 and affiliated with Mount Saint Vincent University, the Centre for Women in Business is a non-profit that offers services and training for female entrepreneurs.

Dal Innovates, Halifax

Dalhousie University’s entrepreneurship hub offers a range of startup support and training services, including hosting the Nova Scotia chapter of the internationally known Creative Destruction Lab accelerator.

Genesis, St. John's

Created in 1997 and bolstered by a longstanding relationship with Memorial University, Genesis has become Newfoundland and Labrador’s main startup hub. The organization is likely best known for its three-year Enterprise incubator.

The Community Leader Award

The Community Leader Award honours a company or founder directly contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem by dedicating some of their time to helping other members of the community, such as via mentorship or acting as a peer-to-peer resource.

Kyle Burton, Halifax

Burton is a blue economy veteran who has worked at Dartmouth’s Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship and former venture capital Crown corporation Innovacorp. He is the founder of startup Net-Zero Edge, where he plans to install data centres on the seafloor for more efficient cooling and reduced real estate and infrastructure costs.

Minder Singh, Halifax

Singh has worked on businesses ranging from reviving ailing petroleum companies to export development consulting. At the Halifax Partnership 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.

Wes Surrett, Halifax

Surrett has spent his career working with rural businesses, first as a resort manager and then at the Pictou County Regional Enterprise Network. Since last year, he has been rural innovation hub IGNITE Atlantic’s regional manager for northern Nova Scotia.

Disruptor Award

The Disruptor Award recognizes a startup that has demonstrated strong business growth or technological advancement over the past year.

Aurea Technologies, Halifax

Founded in 2017 by Cat Adalay and Rachel Carr, Aurea sells a portable power generator designed for campers and hikers who need to charge their devices during wilderness excursions, dubbed the Shine Turbine.

CapIntel, Toronto

Founded in 2019 by James Rockwood, CapIntel is digitizing communications between asset managers and financial advisors. The company hopes to become the infrastructure for professional investment decisions globally.

ReelData, Halifax

Co-Founded in 2018 by Hossein Salimian and Matt Zimola, ReelData sells artificial intelligence software to land-based aquaculture facilities. Its first product was an AI system for determining how much fish farmers should feed their animals, and its second tracks biomass.

Positive Impact Award: Individual

Honouring a person whose work has had a positive social or environmental impact.

Ashley Noseworthy, St. John's

In 2018, Noseworthy founded EDGEWISE Environmental, which is a marine environmental consultancy focused on marine mammals, seabirds and underwater noise mitigation.

Scott Stirrett, Toronto

Stirrett is the CEO of Venture for Canada, a national non-profit that aims to foster entrepreneurship among young people via training and outreach programming.

Shelley Hessian, Halifax

Hessian until recently was the manager of Invest Nova Scotia’s Startup Yard incubation facility at the Dartmouth-based Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship. She is now the Regional IP Counsellor for Nova Scotia at Springboard Atlantic.

Positive Impact Award: Organization

Honouring an organization with a positive social or environmental impact.

Common Good Solutions, Halifax

Founded in 2012, Common Good Solutions is a Community Interest Company — designating a for-profit business, but with explicitly pro-social goals. It offers environmental, social and governance consulting services.

Mysa Smart Thermostat, St. John’s

Co-founded in 2016 by brothers Joshua and Zach Green, Mysa sells smart thermostats. The company’s early offerings were focused on residential applications, but it is now looking to diversify into industrial HVAC systems.

Square Roots Sackville, Halifax

Square Roots is a community group that sells large bundles of produce at low prices for people who need affordable, nutritious food.