Whitehorse, YT – May 11, 2019 | Today, Startup Canada joined forces with Yukonstruct Society and Startup Whitehorse to celebrate and recognize the top entrepreneurs, businesses and support organizations in the North at the 2019 Startup Canada Awards – North Region ceremony. Hosted for the second time by Lauren Manekin Beille, Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Yukon College, this year’s ceremony marks the third year of the Startup Canada Awards in the North.
Nine winners from across the three territories were announced at the highly-anticipated ceremony held at NorthLight Innovation – the rallying point for entrepreneurs and creators in Whitehorse. The evening’s guests included leading Canadian investors, innovators, anchor company executives, and government officials.
“Entrepreneurship North of 60 is booming, and the Yukon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is seeding new startups, scale-ups, and global successes,” said Victoria Lennox, President of Startup Canada. “Startup Canada is proud to celebrate excellence and enduring impact across Canada’s Territories by celebrating the entrepreneurs, innovators and support ecosystem making it happen in the North.”
“Yukonstruct Society is honoured to host the Startup Canada Awards – North Region ceremony once again and for the first time at NorthLight Innovation, the first community
innovation hub North of 60.” said Lana Selbee, Executive Director of Yukonstruct Society. “ Whitehorse has been recently recognized as the most entrepreneurial city in Canada and this event is our annual rendezvous to celebrate with our members and the broader entrepreneurial community across the North.”
The 2019 North Region Winners are:
The Honourable Ranj Pillai (Whitehorse, YT)
Minister of Economic Development
Entrepreneur Promotion Award
sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks
däna Näye Ventures (Whitehorse, YT)
Entrepreneur Support Award
sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks
Uasau Soap Inc. (Iqaluit, NU)
Entrepreneur’s Choice Award
Make IT Solutions (Whitehorse, YT)
Global Entrepreneurship Award
sponsored by UPS Canada
PROOF (Whitehorse, YT)
Innovation Award
sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks
Arctic Fresh Inc. (Igloolik, NU)
Social Enterprise Award
sponsored by Sovereign Insurance
Antoinette Greenoliph (Whitehorse, YT)
Woman Entrepreneur Award
sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada
Charlie Fidler (Whitehorse, YT)
Young Entrepreneur Award
sponsored by Scotiabank
Jayden Soroka, David Hamelin and Neil MacDonald (Whitehorse, YT)
Co-Founders of Outpost 31
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
sponsored by Scotiabank
In addition to the regional winners, the Startup Canada Awards Adjudication Committee also recognized seven other outstanding entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations as honourable mentions during the ceremony. Honourable mentions went to Jaret Slipp, Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce, EntrepreNorth, Raven Recycling Society, Patti Balsillie, Brioni Connolly, and Luann Baker-Johnson.
The regional winners will now be evaluated by the National Adjudication Committee; comprised of some of Canada’s leading entrepreneurship and industry experts. The national winners will be celebrated at the Startup Canada Awards Grand Finale in Toronto in October 2019.
The Startup Canada Awards are supported by organizations from across Canada
The Startup Canada Awards are proudly supported by presenting sponsors Intuit Quickbooks and Sovereign Insurance; in partnership with Business Development Bank of Canada, UPS Canada, Scotiabank, and Mastercard Canada; with special support of African Bronze Honey, Abeego, Firebean Coffee, Newfoundland Chocolate Company, Drizzle, Manitobah Mukluks, Her Braids, and Purdy’s Chocolatier.
The North Region Startup Canada Awards are regionally sponsored by the City of Whitehorse, Yukon Brewing, Northern Vision Development, Cold Climate Innovation, and NorthwesTel.
For more information and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Maddie Stiles
Media Relations, Startup Canada
maddie.stiles@startupcan.ca
613-295-4590
Lana Selbee
Executive Director, Yukonstruct Society
lana@yukonstruct.com
(867)-457-0150
ABOUT THE STARTUP CANADA AWARDS
The annual Startup Canada Awards are the hallmark event that celebrates and recognizes those driving impact and demonstrating excellence in Canada’s entrepreneurship and innovation community. The objectives of the Startup Canada Awards are to:
- Celebrate those working to advance entrepreneurship in Canada;
- Increase awareness of the importance of strengthening Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture; and,
- Incentivize efforts and elevate the ambitions of the Canadian entrepreneurial and innovation community.
For more information, visit www.startupaward.ca.
ABOUT STARTUP CANADA
Startup Canada is the national rallying community and voice for Canada’s 2.3 million entrepreneurs. Since launching in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to represent more than 200,000 entrepreneurs and 50 grassroots communities from coast to coast to coast. Through digital programs and flagship events, Startup Canada is the network promoting, inspiring, educating, connecting and giving a voice to Canada’s entrepreneurs; supporting them to start, operate and scale businesses that build a better Canada for the world today and for future generations. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.