Mississauga, ON – June 6, 2019 | Today, Startup Canada joined forces with Startup Peel to celebrate and recognize the top entrepreneurs, businesses and support organizations in Ontario at the 2019 Startup Canada Awards – Ontario Region ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by two of Toronto’s top startup community builders – Edwin Frondozo, Host and Founder of the Award-winning The Business Leadership Podcast and Community Leader for Startup Toronto, and Theresa Laurico, Founder and Partner of SociaLIGHT Conference.
Ten winners from across the province were announced at the highly-anticipated ceremony held at The International Conference Centre. The evening’s guests included leading Canadian investors, innovators, anchor company executives, and government officials.
The 2019 Ontario Region Winners are:
Myriam Lazarte (Toronto, ON)
Entrepreneur Promotion Award
sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks
Centre for Social Innovation (Toronto, ON)
Entrepreneur Support Award
sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks
Chris Rickett (Toronto, ON)
Entrepreneur’s Choice Award
Shopify (Ottawa, ON)
Global Entrepreneurship Award
sponsored by UPS Canada
EMAGIN (Kitchener, ON)
Innovation Award
sponsored by Intuit Quickbooks
Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics (St. Catharines, ON)
Social Enterprise Award
sponsored by Sovereign Insurance
LowestRates.ca (Toronto, ON)
High-Growth Entrepreneurship Award
sponsored by Mastercard Canada
Mallorie Brodie and Lauren Lake (Waterloo, ON)
Woman Entrepreneur Award
sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada
Founders of She Clothing Co. (Toronto, ON)
Young Entrepreneur Award
sponsored by Scotiabank
Isaac Olowolafe Jr. (Toronto, ON)
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
sponsored by Scotiabank
“Congratulations to all our 2019 Startup Canada winners,” said Anastasia Valentine, Chief Executive Director of Startup Canada. “We are honoured to recognize vibrant entrepreneurs and disruptors across Canada. Each recipient is highly contributing to building our nation’s economy and to strengthening the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem. It makes me proud to celebrate the talent and achievements of each one of our winners. Thank you for being community builders, and role models for future generations.”
“Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of the 2019 Ontario Regional Startup Canada Awards.” said Melloney Campbell Community Leader and Mentor for Startup Peel. “Ontario is brimming with talent – from social enterprise to cleantech innovation that will greatly benefit Canada and enable you to scale Worldwide. It is a privilege and honour to support the journey of these amazing entrepreneurs through Startup Peel, our partners and the Regional Startup Canada Communities collectively. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your success story, and I look forward to your continued success as you accomplish your vision.”
In addition to the regional winners, the Startup Canada Awards Adjudication Committee also recognized twenty other outstanding entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations as honourable mentions during the ceremony. Honourable mentions went to: Jamie Hoobanoff, Janet Bannister, Arthur Barbut, Innovation Guelph, Creative Destruction Lab, Birch Bark Coffee Company, Diva Cup International, Siempre Spirits Limited, KA Imaging, Mindbridge AI, SAFAROMA, SnapClarity, Canopy Growth, RVezy, Terri Storey, Giovanna Mingarelli, Komal Minhas, Genevieve Merz, Anmol Dhalla, and Ariel Mashiyev.
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 supported from African Bronze Honey, Abeego, Firebean Coffee, Newfoundland Chocolate Company, Drizzle, Manitobah Mukluks, Her Braids, and Purdy’s Chocolatier. Other local partners include Startup York Region and Startup Toronto.
For more information and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Rachelle DeSorcy
Media Relations, Startup Canada
819-664-8701
rachelle.desorcy@startupcan.ca
Melloney Campbell
Community Leader, Startup Peel Region
melloney@startupcan.ca
ABOUT THE STARTUP CANADA AWARDS
The annual Startup Canada Awards are the hallmark event that celebrate and recognize 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.