Fredericton economic development agency and entrepreneurship hub Ignite has been honoured by International Economic Development Council for its programming for women and immigrant startup founders, receiving an award for excellence in economic development in the Economic Equity and Inclusion category.

Based in Washington, D.C., the non-profit International Economic Development Council, or IEDC, is an international membership organization for economic development agencies.

Ignite was honoured for its Economic Empowerment program, which aims to help immigrant women develop the soft skills to do business in Canada, and for its Integration Success Program, which helps keep international students in Canada after they graduate — something innovation ecosystem observers broadly agree is an important step in solving the STEM labour shortage.

“We are honored to receive the IEDC Excellence in Economic Development bronze award for our Economic Empowerment and Integration Success programs,” said Doyin Somorin, Ignite’s manager for integration and retention, in a social media statement.

“These initiatives embody our commitment to empowering immigrant women with essential soft skills crucial for navigating the Canadian business landscape and workforce as well as preparing international students for success in the Canadian workforce.”

Participation in the startup economy by both women and immigrants has been improving. Last year, women-led companies accounted for about 22 percent of the Atlantic Canadian startup ecosystem, according to Entrevestor data, and reported a remarkable 126 percent average annual revenue growth. Immigrant entrepreneurs, meanwhile, run about 26 percent of East Coast startups and last year raised just under $192 million.