2018 North Startup Canada Award Winners Celebrated in Whitehorse
Whitehorse – May 27, 2018 | Startup Canada, the national rallying community and voice for Canadian entrepreneurs today named eight outstanding entrepreneurs, businesses and support organizations from the North as winners of the fifth annual Startup Canada Awards. These Awards are the hallmark event celebrating outstanding achievement in Canada’s entrepreneurship and innovation community.
The winners were announced today at a ceremony in Whitehorse, attended by leading Canadian innovators and anchor company executives.
“Congratulations to the 2018 winners of the Startup Canada Awards,” said Victoria Lennox, Co-Founder, and CEO of Startup Canada. “These winners represent the very essence of entrepreneurship. We are proud to celebrate their success with Canadians and our partners around the world.”
The 2018 North Regional Award Winners are:
Luke Legault (Whitehorse, YT)
Founder of The Wandering Bison
Entrepreneur’s Choice Award
presented by Intuit QuickBooks
Jason Rayner (Whitehorse, YT)
Senior Business Development Advisor, Yukon Government
Entrepreneur Promotion Award
Presented by Intuit Quickbooks
Selene Vakharia, Tara Larkin, Sofia Fortin (Whitehorse, YT)
Co-Owners, SMRT Women
Entrepreneur Support Award
Presented by Intuit Quickbooks
Jim Coates (Whitehorse, YT)
President, Kryotek Arctic Innovation Inc.
Innovation Award
presented by Intuit Quickbooks
Inhabit Media (Iqaluit, NU)
Social Enterprise Award
presented by The Centre for Social Innovation
SSi Mobile (Yellowknife, NWT)
High Growth Award
presented by Mastercard
Tammy Beese (Whitehorse, YT)
Owner, What’s Up Yukon Magazine
Woman Entrepreneur Award
presented by BDC
Bob Baxter (Whitehorse, YT)
President, Yukon Brewing Company
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
presented by Scotiabank
“Living in the North necessitates innovation and adaptation. Our entrepreneurs are familiar with the unique challenges of life North of 60,” says Ben Ryan, Chief Commercial Officer of Air North. “Air North, Yukon’s Airline is proud to support their efforts in driving new ideas and creating new opportunities for northern communities. Congratulations to all Startup Canada Awards nominees on the positive impact they are making to our economy.”
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 Ottawa on October 18, 2018 following Startup Canada Day on the Hill. Startup Canada Day on the Hill is Canada’s largest national entrepreneurship event convening leading entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, industry executives, and government representatives annually to raise the bar for Canada as a globally competitive innovation nation.
The Startup Canada Awards are proudly presented by Intuit Quickbooks, in partnership with Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Mastercard Canada, Scotiabank, UPS Canada, Rogers, and the Centre for Social Innovation. The Startup Canada Awards North Regional Ceremony is sponsored by Air North, Coast High Country Inn, and Baked Cafe.
For more information and to schedule interviews, please contact:
Maddie Stiles
Media Relations, Startup Canada
613-295-4590
maddie.stiles@startupcan.ca
Lauren Manekin
Director, Community Engagement & Partnerships
lauren@cospacenorth.com
About the Startup Canada Awards
The annual Startup Canada Awards are the hallmark event that celebrates 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.