We are thrilled to announce the finalists for the highly
anticipated 2023 CanadianSME Small Business Awards. In
collaboration with Google Canada, this year’s event theme,
“Innovate and Connect: Empowering Small Businesses for a Digital
Tomorrow,” highlights the crucial role of digital innovation,
connectivity and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises
nationwide.
The awards gala, set for June 7th,
2024, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, will bring together a
diverse group of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and government
officials to celebrate the achievements of Canada’s small business
sector. The evening will feature a keynote from Natasha Walji,
Managing Director at Google Canada.
This year’s awards attracted a
multitude of entries nationwide and were judged by an esteemed
panel of industry leaders based on criteria such as innovation,
growth, and community impact. The finalists represent the best of
Canadian entrepreneurship, showcasing creativity and resilience in
integrating digital technologies into their business practices.
“Canadian SMEs are the lifeblood of
the Canadian economy, and the finalists of the 2023 CanadianSME
Small Business Awards exemplify the spirit of innovation that
drives our economy forward. At Google Canada, we are proud to work
alongside CanadianSME to celebrate these remarkable businesses who
are harnessing the power of AI and shaping the future of our
economy.” - Natasha Walji, Managing Director at Google Canada.
SK Uddin, the founder of CanadianSME,
commented on the upcoming gala: “We are eagerly anticipating the
recognition of the outstanding contributions of Canada’s small
business community to our economy. This year’s theme, 'Innovate and
Connect,' celebrates the digital tools and networks increasingly
central to modern business success. We are expecting a fantastic
collection of insights and success stories at the event.”
We sincerely thank Google Canada for
its continued support of the SME Awards 2023, which has been
crucial to the event’s success.
“We’re honoured to celebrate the
outstanding achievements of small businesses across Canada who are
making tremendous contributions in their industries and
demonstrating what it takes to succeed in a highly competitive and
dynamic market,” says Don Ludlow, Vice-President of Small Business,
Partnerships & Strategy, RBC. “The finalists of the 2023
CanadianSME Small Business Awards are a further testament to the
extraordinary resilience, leadership and ingenuity of this
community, and we’re thrilled to put a spotlight on their inspiring
stories of entrepreneurship.”
Paul Gaspar, small business director at UPS, extends his
“congratulations to all the finalists.” A longtime supporter of
CanadianSME, UPS is “honoured to be involved in such a great event
celebrating our Canadian business owners,” he adds.
“We are so proud to celebrate Indigenous excellence by
supporting the Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year Award,
highlighting the effect they have on both the community and culture
of SMEs more broadly here in Canada,” said Tu Elliott, Cultural
Advisor & Indigenous Affairs of Xero. “Small businesses are so
integral to the fabric of our economy, and Indigenous entrepreneurs
in particular enrich the ways in which we operate, grow and connect
back to our roots.”
“It’s truly inspiring to witness the creativity and
determination of this year’s finalists. From startups and
solopreneurs to independent artists and family-owned restaurants,
SMEs are critical to our communities and our nation’s economy,”
said Frank Vella, CEO at Constant Contact. “Constant Contact has
been an advocate for small businesses for over 25 years, and as a
proud Canadian, I am energized by the innovation happening here in
Toronto and all across Canada. We will continue to support Canadian
entrepreneurs and deliver the marketing tools and guidance they
need to amplify their voices, get closer to their customers and
compete against their larger competitors.”
The CanadianSME Small Business
Magazine appreciates all sponsors for their steadfast support of
the CanadianSME National Business Awards 2023, which honours
business excellence across Canada.
About the
sponsors:
The CanadianSME National Business
Awards 2023 is a platform for companies to support small businesses
through sponsorship, recognizing entrepreneurs in various
categories. RBC sponsors the Small Business of the Year Award for
up to 10 employees; UPS sponsors the Small Business of the Year
Award for up to 50 employees; Constant Contact sponsors 50+; Xero
sponsors the Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Samsung
sponsors the Tech Business of the Year Award, and HP Canada
sponsors the Black Entrepreneur of the Year.
The finalists for the awards
are:
RBC - Small Business of the Year - 2023 (Up to 10
employees)
Top 1
- Aeryon Wellness
- Masolu Construction Inc.
- Butterfly Ethical Gifting
- Roo & You Inc.
- Dawson’s Hot Sauce Inc.
Top 2
- Chimera Collective Inc.
- ACCESS Community Capital Fund
- Vistance Capital Advisory
- W Design Co.
- DREALEE | Fitness+Dance
Top 3
- Kits for a Cause
- Flowers by Janie Inc.
- Protection Security Investigations
- Little & Lively
- On Point Agency Inc
_____________________________________________
UPS - Small Business of the Year - 2023 (Up to 50
employees)
Top 1
- Sparkle & Sheen Organize And Cleaning Services Ltd.
- Shift Financial Insights
- Nexim Healthcare Consultants Inc.
- Riskthinking.AI Inc.
- Aligned Vision Group
Top 2
- Synic Software Inc.
- The Scented Market
- Essential Software Solutions
- 2M7 Financial Solutions
- TechBlocks
Top 3
- Resonant Business Solutions
- AMZ Prep Canada Ltd
- Vision Project Services
- The Idea Integration Co. Inc.
- TuesdayAfternoon Media
_____________________________________________
Samsung Tech Business of the Year - 2023
- Nulogy Corporation
- CapIntel
- Pathway Communications
- Fidelio by Commsoft Technologies
- Canvass AI
_____________________________________________
Xero Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year -
2023
- Marie St-GelaisOwner, Managing Director &
Executive Director of Ashini Consultants
- Nyden Iron-NighttravellerPresident & CEO,
Amarok Scaffolding Ltd.
- Jordan WapassFounder & Principal
Consultant of Cree8ive Advisory
- Carol Anne HiltonCEO and Founder of The
Indigenomics Institute
- Jenn HarperFounder and CEO, Cheekbone Beauty
Cosmetics Inc
_____________________________________________
Constant Contact Small Business of the Year - 2023 (50+
Employees )
Top 1
- ImageX Media, Inc.
- Merchant Growth
- Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada
- NERVA Energy Group Inc.
- N. Janson Events
Top 2
- Croesus
- Zensurance
- COSTI Immigrant Services
- Scinapsis Analytics Inc.
- eShipper
Top 3
- MYcourier Inc.
- Modern Requirements
- St. Francis Herb Farm
- Kaizen Health Group
- Giatec Scientific Inc.
_____________________________________________
The Diversity and Inclusion Award - 2023
- Building Bridges Psychotherapy
- This Worlds Ours Centre Corp.
- Burnie Group
- Pride at Work Canada/Fierté au travail Canada
- ventureLAB
_____________________________________________
Technopreneur of the Year Award - 2023
- Lance Miller & Matt AlstonCo-Founder and
CEO of Surex / Co-Founder and COO of Surex
- Logan Alexander WolfeCEO, ORNA Inc.
- Melodie MooreFounder, Business Tech
Ninjas
- David GensFounder & CEO, Merchant
Growth
- Lucas McCarthyFounder & CEO, Showpass
_____________________________________________
Entrepreneur of the Year - 2023
- Craig BuschPresident & CEO, Busch
Systems
- JOHN MACBETHCEO & Founder, TryCycle Data
Systems Inc.
- Prashant KumarFounder & CEO,
TechBlocks
- James NguyenCo-Founder and CEO, Quantropi
Inc.
- David HubertCo-Founder and CEO, AGORA VFX
INC.
_____________________________________________
Excellence in Data Privacy & Cyber Security -
2023
- 2M7 Financial Solutions
- INKAS® Payments
- One37 Solutions Inc.
- Windscribe Limited
- CAS Cyber Security Canada Inc.
_____________________________________________
Young Entrepreneur of the Year - 2023
- Dean PsycharisFounding Partner, BLP Lawyers
Inc.
- Veronica Li & Stephanie DangFounders of
CAYA Health Centre
- Nabanita Nawar & Pimyupa
ManaswiyoungkulCo-Founder and CEO of HDAX Therapeutics /
COO of HDAX Therapeutics
- Joseph DevereauxFounder & Director, Page
Pros Inc.
- Lacey KoughanFounder and CEO at 24STRONG Youth
Empowerment Inc
_____________________________________________
Customer Service Excellence - 2023
Top 1
- Snuggle Bugz
- Exclusive Brands
- MAKO Design + Invent
- Fullintel
- seoplus+
Top 2
- Hammam Spa by Céla
- Tiny Planet Digital
- Options Consulting Solutions
- Floèm
- Harbinger Network Inc.
Top 3
- Response Biomedical Corp.
- OPIIA Inc.
- LUX decor
- Peninsula Canada
- Fourth Avenue Medical Aesthetics
_____________________________________________
Black Entrepreneur of the Year - 2023
- Hazel LordFounder & Management Consultant
of Pearl Operational Design Inc.
- Ross CadastreFounder, Innovative Talent
Solutions Inc
- Lekan OlawoyeFounder, Black Professionals in
Tech Network Inc.
- Sean ThompsonCo-Founder & CEO of Psigryph
Inc.
- MAME HAMATH WILLIAM DIOUFCEO & President
at GROUPE DIMEXNET
_____________________________________________
Best Business Innovation - 2023
- Ionomr Innovations Inc
- Samos Insurance Solutions
- Haya Solutions Inc.
- HIVE Digital Technologies
- Deep Trekker
_____________________________________________
Startup Business of the Year - 2023
- Kraken Sense
- Organic House Canada Inc.
- Enso Connect
- Hero Care
- Blue Door Agency
_____________________________________________
Inspirational Leader of the Year - 2023
- Bryan JaskolkaFounder & CEO at CMI
Financial Group
- Margarita SimkinChairwoman at INKAS® Safe
Manufacturing
- Jennifer MassigCEO at MAGNA Engineering
Services Inc.
- Bikramjit Singh KandolaOwner & President
of City Car & Truck Rental
- Kris KingFounder & CEO at SnapHouss
_____________________________________________
Digital Business of the Year Award - 2023
- WebSan Solutions Inc.
- Page Pros
- The Iceberg Finance Group
- ConnectAd
- Merged Media
_____________________________________________
CSR Excellence Award - 2023
- Canadian All Care College
- Marcatus QED Inc.
- Public Inc
- Nexim Healthcare Consultants Inc.
- Future Kitchen & Bath Ltd (MOBEL)
_____________________________________________
Best in AI & Automation Award - 2023
- Modern Requirements
- Solink Corp
- Scinapsis Analytics Inc.
- Canvass AI
- MarkiTech
_____________________________________________
Best in Health and Wellness Business -2023
- Legacy Healthcare Solutions Inc.
- Szio+ Inc.
- Kick Start Therapy
- St. Francis Herb Farm
- Kaizen Health Group
_____________________________________________
Best in Manufacturing Award - 2023
- Metaline Premium Metal Fabrication
- Media Resources
- Pliteq
- CIG Garment Manufacturing
- Casa Bella Windows & Doors
_____________________________________________
Best in Retail Award - 2023
- Kevito Ltd.
- King & Bay Custom Clothing Inc
- Gotstyle
- Pure + Simple
- The Scented Market
_____________________________________________
Community Impact Award - 2023
- Skinprovement Medi Spa & Laser Clinic
- Butterfly Ethical Gifting
- Black Woman Market
- YEDI
- Drewlo Holdings
- Faith and Sparkles World
_____________________________________________
2SLGBTQI+ Inclusive Excellence Award - 2023
- Ivy + Dean Consulting
- CTRS Solutions Limited
- Regroupement LGBT en Technologie dba QueerTech
- INspired Media Inc.
- Mirror Image Media
_____________________________________________
The Sustainable Business Award - 2023
- Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada
- Freed & Freed International
- Cyclic Materials
- Hypercharge Networks Corp.
- Fill it Forward
_____________________________________________
Best Professional Services - 2023
- Sapling Financial Consultants Inc.
- Insight Pest Solutions
- REV Capital
- E-Tech
- The Job Shoppe
_____________________________________________
Immigrant Entrepreneur of the Year - 2023
- Ronnie ShethCEO, SENEN GROUP
- Gerard KeledjianFounder & Managing
Director of New Horizons Media Inc.
- Morteza JavidCEO, LABonWEB
- Vipul ThakkarChairman & Managing Director
at Silver Touch Technologies Canada Ltd.
- Dhan RaiBusiness Owner, The Aroma Fine Indian
and Hakka cuisine
_____________________________________________
Fastest Growing Company - 2023
- Merchant Growth
- Rootquotient
- Volanté Systems
- TRYCYCLE DATA SYSTEMS
- Sparkle & Sheen Organize And Cleaning Services Ltd.
_____________________________________________
E-commerce Business of the Year - 2023
- Shoplazza
- Bird&Be
- FlagShip Courier Solutions
- Healthy Planet
- Hangar9
_____________________________________________
Business Woman of the Year - 2023
- Tracy SicardCo-founder & Head Of Customer
Experience at TuesdayAfternoon Media
- Celine TadrissiFounder and CEO of Hammam Spa
by Céla and Céla Skin
- Natasha KoifmanOwner & President, NKPR
Inc
- Jennifer RoyCEO & Chief Operating Officer,
Nucleus Networks
- Kathy ChengFounder & President, Redwood
Classics Apparel
Tickets for the CanadianSME Small
Business Awards Gala are available at www.smeawards.ca. Attendees
can expect a memorable evening of networking, celebration, and
insights, underlining the essential role of small businesses in
Canada’s economic landscape and their adoption of digital
innovations for future growth.
About
CanadianSME:
As a leading organization dedicated to
empowering the SME sector across Canada through its digital
magazine, business events, and insightful resources, CanadianSME is
fostering growth and development within this vital industry. This
year’s event theme underscores our commitment to supporting the
integration of digital tools that enhance connectivity and
operational efficiency, aiming to inspire our community to harness
new technologies for expansive growth and enhanced customer
experiences.
For media inquiries, please contact:
SK UddinPublisher, CanadianSMEPhone: (416) 655
0205Email: info@canadiansme.ca
A photo accompanying this announcement is available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a72e182-3256-459a-9415-94760670c33c