Congrats to all the winners  of the Startup Canada Atlantic Awards, which were presented last night at a reception at Dalhousie University.

It was a rousing affair, deftly hosted by Rivers Corbett, the Fredericton-based  owner of the Relish Gourmet Burgers chain. Victoria Lennox, who founded Startup Canada less than three years ago, was in town to fly the flag for the volunteer-group that organizes startup communities across the country.

Gerry Pond, who claimed the Wolf Blass Lifetime Achievement Award, received a standing ovation for his years of service to the community, and for his witty repartee with Corbett.

Many thanks to everyone who showed such kindness at the reception and over social media in congratulating me on winning the Media Person of the Year. It means a lot.

The winners of the Atlantic Awards will now be considered for the national awards, which will be handed out at a gala event at the CN Tower in Toronto on June 12. You can help to influence the judging panel by voting for the national winner here.

My congrats go out to the other Atlantic Canadians named by the national startup organization:

Entrepreneurial Effect Award --  Clarity.fm

Startup Community of the Year --  Startup Fredericton

Most Entrepreneurial Post-Secondary Institution of the Year -- University of New Brunswick

Professional Services Company of the Year -- McInnes Cooper

Incubator / Accelerator of the Year -- Launch 36

Non-Profit Support Organization of the Year -- Hub Halifax

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builder of the Year -- Robert Pelley

Entrepreneur Mentor of the Year -- Robert Zed

Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year -- Dr. Mary Kilfoil

Wolf Blass Lifetime Achievement Award -- Gerry Pond