Categories
These categories recognize businesses, individuals and organizations whose innovative approaches and sheer determination contribute to a resilient foundation for our city.
In 2023, three crowd favourite awards will be returning, including Pivot Point, Creative Collaboration and Shift Disturber. New to the awards will be the following categories: Youth Innovator and Research & Innovation Contribution.
Creative Collaboration
Description
Recognizing two or more companies organizations that have forged an alliance and reached new heights or achievements that they couldn't have reached alone. Contributions may be across sectors, industries, geographies or verticals; milestones may span the development of new products, services, supply chains, operations and beyond!
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Leveraging individual resources to come together | 25.0% |
| Creativity, quality and meaningfulness of the collaboration | 25.0% |
| Demonstration of the market gap being filled or problem being solved | 25.0% |
| Potential long-term impacts of the collaboration on both organizations | 25.0% |
Pivot Point
Description
Recognizing a company or organization that has discovered and pursued opportunity(ies) to grow in unexpected directions when faced with market or operational challenges.
Requirements
A need to purposefully take action with risk was addressed and implemented. They have assessed, adapted and evolved with key changes to their business model or processes that show promising results. Actions may include new revenue sources, new uses for products, evolving to service new needs and more.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Creativity of the pivot, evolution or adaptation | 20.0% |
| Demonstration of growth in unexpected directions – proactive versus reactive | 20.0% |
| Efficient and effective use of resources that speaks to the sustainability of the pivot | 20.0% |
| Intensity of the pivot and its impact on business operations | 20.0% |
| Mindfulness of the business where they can quantify and track the benefits they create | 20.0% |
Research & Innovation Contribution
Description
Recognizing industry and academic researchers as well as entrepreneurs whose innovative activities have had high impact on their individual business or sector, engaging knowledge users throughout the process.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate excellence in research, innovation and changemaking | 20.0% |
| Creativity and innovation of solutions and ideas | 20.0% |
| Demonstration of the market gap being filled or problem being solved | 20.0% |
| Potential long-term impacts on business operations | 20.0% |
| Enhance and optimize the capacity of institutions and research communities to conduct the proposed research or technology development program(s) | 20.0% |
Shift Disturber
Description
Recognizing an individual who has championed innovation in their organization or community. Where others see opposition, they see opportunity. This individual is a powerhouse of creative problem solving, shaking up norms and spearheading strategic solutions in the midst of uncertainty.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Leveraging individual resources to come together | 25.0% |
| Creativity, quality and meaningfulness of the collaboration | 25.0% |
| Demonstration of the market gap being filled or problem being solved | 25.0% |
| Potential long-term impacts of the collaboration on both organizations | 25.0% |
Youth Innovator
Description
Showcasing youth's creations and demonstrating the incredible learning that comes through entrepreneurship. This award encourages youth entrepreneurs of all types – from students working on capstone projects to those working on their own non-profit, for-profit or social enterprise – to develop their ideas, products/ services, or even improvements for an existing product or procedure. A monetary award will be assigned for the winner to put towards their venture.
Requirements
To be eligible, nominees must be under the age of 25 at the time of applying and either a full-time student or returning to school full-time in the next academic year.
Criteria
| Criterion | Weight |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate how they have used their classroom skills to create impact | 20.0% |
| Creativity and innovation of solutions and ideas | 20.0% |
| Intrapreneurial spirit | 20.0% |
| Demonstrate sound potential for growth and success by upending the hustle culture | 20.0% |
| Create an inspiring picture of the future and empower others to have a positive impact on the community | 20.0% |
