Startup Canada has opened nominations for its sixth annual Startup Canada Awards – a contest that Atlantic Canadians have always done well in.
Startup Canada, whose mission is to promote and nurture startups and entrepreneurship across the country, holds regional awards across the country in 17 categories. The regional winners in most of these categories then compete in the national finals.
“The Startup Canada Awards have become Canada’s leading platform to honour those advancing Canada’s entrepreneurial economy and to inspire all of us to take bigger and bolder steps to make a difference here at home and globally,” said Startup Canada President Victoria Lennox in a statement. “We invite entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, industries, and regions to apply and to nominate the organizations and champions that have supported them along the way.”
For the past two years, the national Entrepreneur of the Year Award has been given to an Atlantic Canadian woman. The winner last year was Lisa Williams, Founder of Unicare Home Health Care of Miramichi, NB, and in 2017 the prize went to Anne Whelan, President and CEO of Seafair Capital Inc. of St. John’s.
You can nominate yourself or someone else for a Startup Canada Award. Nominations are open until March 24, the forms can be found here.
Startup Canada is planning regional ceremonies this spring in Whitehorse, Vancouver, Edmonton, Mississauga, Montreal, and Fredericton, with a finale event taking place in Toronto in October.
Regional awards will be presented in the following categories:
For advancing the Environment and Culture in Canada
Entrepreneur Promotion Award
Entrepreneur Support Award
Policy Innovation Award
Community of the Year
Community Leader of the Year Award
Communities Collaboration Award
For entrepreneur-led Businesses Demonstrating Excellence
Global Award
Innovation Award
Social Enterprise Award
High-Growth Award
For exemplifying the Spirit of Canadian Entrepreneurship
Woman Entrepreneur Award
Young Entrepreneur Award (Under the age of 19)
Indigenous Entrepreneur Award
Newcomer Entrepreneur Award
For outstanding Impact in Canadian Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Adam Chowaniec Lifetime Achievement Award
Entrepreneur's Choice Award