Wolf Blass Wines presents the 2016 Startup Canada Adam Chowaniec Lifetime Achievement Award
September 12, 2016, Ottawa, ON | Wolf Blass Wines and Startup Canada are partnering for the third consecutive year to celebrate innovation, excellence and outstanding achievement in the Canadian entrepreneurship community through the Startup Canada Awards.
Wolf Blass Wines is the presenting sponsor of the Startup Canada Adam Chowaniec Lifetime Achievement Award, which is awarded to an individual, who, over the course of their life has made a long-term impact and enduring legacy in advancing an environment and culture for entrepreneurial growth and success in Canada. The Award is named after the founding Chairman of Startup Canada, Dr. Adam Chowaniec, who was an Ottawa tech titan, best known for his pioneering role in the development of the Amiga Computer.
Past recipients of the Award include Fredericton-based investor Gerry Pond for his leadership in uniting and strengthening the East Coast Startup Community and former Prime Minister of Canada, The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin for opening new opportunities for Aboriginal entrepreneurship through the C.A.P.E Program.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is meaningful to us because our founder, Wolfgang Blass, was a young entrepreneur when he moved to Australia to pursue his passion as a winemaker,” said Angela Lyons, Brand Business Director for Wolf Blass. “As well, Canada holds great memories for Wolf so for these reasons, we are very pleased to be supporting Startup Canada’s inaugural awards and to share Wolf’s story to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
“Through their innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurialism, the 2016 Startup Canada Awards winners are driving impact not just in their local communities but also across Canada and the world,” said Startup Canada CEO Victoria Lennox. “As leaders in the entrepreneurship ecosystem, they are each making Canada a better place to start and scale companies. Thank you and congratulations to all of the nominees and winners. Your accomplishments prove that entrepreneurs can make it in Canada.”
The Startup Canada Awards can be likened to the Oscars for the Canadian entrepreneurship community – celebrating and recognizing the individuals, communities and institutions that have demonstrated innovation, excellence, outstanding achievement and impact in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship.
As the Adam Chowaniec Lifetime Achievement Award title sponsor, Wolf Blass Wines be presenting awards to the following regional winners:
- Atlantic |John MacLaughlin, President Emeritus at the University of New Brunswick
- Ontario |Mike Lazaridis, Founder of BlackBerry and Quantum Valley Investments
- Quebec | Andy Nulman, Founder of Just for Laughs and Play The Future
- Prairies Awards | Randy Yatscoff, Executive Vice President of TEC Edmonton
- B.C. & The North | John Zubak, Entrepreneur in Residence at Kamloops Innovation
Regional events will be held throughout the Autumn in five Canadian cities before the names of the regional winners are pushed forward to the National Adjudication Committee. National winners will be celebrated at the Startup Canada Awards Grand Finale in Toronto on Nov. 29.
The local community can join in the celebration by attending one of the upcoming grassroots events:
- Atlantic Awards Reception | September 13 | Fredericton
- Ontario Awards Reception | September 28 | Waterloo
- Quebec Awards Reception | October 4 | Montreal
- B.C. & the North Awards Reception | October 24 | Vancouver
- Prairies Awards Reception | October 25 | Edmonton
Each Regional Awards celebration will feature a Wolf Blass Wine Tasting Reception and the Grand Finale will feature a VIP Gold Label Wine Reception. Throughout the month of October, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to share their entrepreneurial legacy on Twitter using #MyLegacy for their chance to win one of four sets of VIP tickets to the Toronto Grand Finale Banquet and Gold Label Reception.
Startup Canada Press Contact:
Kathryn Forrest
Communications and Marketing Manager, Startup Canada
1-844-782-7801 ext. 106
kathryn.forrest@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 leading national social enterprise supporting and giving a voice to entrepreneurs through online programs, national awards, flagship events, and partnerships with private sector and government to foster a community for startup and small business success across the country. For more information, visit www.startupcan.ca.