Over 50 of Canada’s leading entrepreneurs, innovators, companies and changemakers have been named regional winners of the third annual Startup Canada Awards. Startup Canada announced the regional winners of the 2016 awards this week, and will celebrate their accomplishments at red carpet events in startup spaces across Canada this Autumn.

North Forge Technology Exchange took the STARTUP CANADA ENTREPRENEUR PROMOTION AWARD FOR ADVANCING THE ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CANADA.

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.

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 Finalein 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

Startup Canada is proud to partner with Canada’s leading entrepreneurial hubs including Taskforce Fredericton Startup Network,Startup Waterloo, Gare, SpringU.is, Startup Edmonton and TEC Edmonton to present the 5 regional ceremonies.

The Startup Canada Awards are proudly supported by Intuit Canada, UPS Canada, Wolf Blass, MNP LLP, Scotiabank, Business Development Bank of Canada, East Valley Ventures, Freshdesk, and Centre for Social Innovation. The Startup Canada Awards are also supported by FluidReview by Survey Monkey.

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.

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.