Barrie’s top innovators celebrated at 5th Mayor’s Innovation Awards ceremony

(Barrie, ON) – The winners of the 5th Mayor’s Innovation Awards were announced this evening via a virtual ceremony that premiered on the City’s social media channels, and the nominees, runners-up and winners were celebrated at an awards ceremony at the Sandbox Centre. The Mayor’s Innovation Awards is an initiative that recognizes and honours the year's most innovative solutions from Barrie businesses, individuals and community groups.

“Innovation is at the heart of what makes a city great. Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to see first-hand just how innovative Barrie businesses are and the creative solutions they’re implementing for the benefit of our community,” said Mayor Alex Nuttall. “I’m honoured to celebrate the nominees, runners-up and winners tonight. Thank you for helping to build a resilient foundation for our city.”

Local innovators were recognized in six categories, with three new awards joining three returning categories at this year’s event:

  • Pivot Point – this award recognizes a company or organization that has discovered and pursued opportunities to grow in unexpected directions when faced with market or operational challenges.
  • Creative Collaboration – this award recognizes two or more companies or organizations that have forged a partnership and reached new heights or achievements that they couldn't have alone.
  • Research & Innovation Contribution (New) – this award recognizes industry and academic researchers as well as entrepreneurs whose innovative research and development activities have had high impact on their individual business or sector, engaging knowledge users throughout the process.
  • Youth Innovator (New) – this award recognizes youth who are challenging the status quo and showcases some of the incredible learning that comes through entrepreneurship.
  • Shift Disturber – this award recognizes 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 amid uncertainty.
  • Municipal Innovation (New) – this award recognizes the individuals, teams, and departments in the City of Barrie that have gone above and beyond to drive innovation, streamline processes, and deliver more effective and efficient services to the community.
     

The winners and runners-up of the 5th Mayor’s Innovation Awards, by category are: 

Pivot Point

  • DriverDX (winner)
  • IBI Behavioural Services (first runner-up)
  • DriveWise (second runner-up)

Creative Collaboration

  • Scale Up! Simulation Academy Presented by Michael Badham, Stuart Morley and the Henry Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre (winners)
  • White Tuque, Nottawasaga Futures and County of Simcoe Economic Development Office for their work around the Canada Digital Adoption Program (first runners-up)
  • Sean Livingston and Morrah Jakubiec; Framework Studios (second runners-up)

Research & Innovation Contribution

  • Miski Brewing (winner)
  • Better Battery Co. (first runner-up)
  • Miski Organics (second runner-up)

Youth Innovator

  • Wesley O’Leary, Founder, North Pro Home & Cottage Services (winner)
  • Ben Battaglia, Creator, 2Pong Inc. (first runner-up)
  • Jaymee Turner, Founder, Boomboxerz Crew (second runner-up)

Shift Disturber

  • Sara Bentham, Director of Programs, Canadian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (winner)
  • Shanicka Edwards, Founder, Shak’s World (first runner-up)
  • Jaclyn Byles, Co-founder, Better Battery Co. (second runner-up)

Municipal Innovation

  • The City of Barrie Recreation & Culture Department for the Electric Ice Resurfacing Units project (winner)
  • The City of Barrie’s Infrastructure and Finance teams for the new Smartpoint Water Meter Warranty Tracking project (first runner-up)
  • The team in Access Barrie for their work on the new City of Barrie App (second runner-up)

The City received a record-breaking 80 nominations, which were evaluated by 17 judges from various industries and business backgrounds on criteria like creativity, innovation and the nominee’s wider contributions to Barrie’s development. The Mayor’s Innovation Awards are sponsored by Adams Hamilton, Grant Thornton, Meridian Business Banking, AGEMA Work, Innovative Automation and Ain Whitehead LLP.

Learn more at investbarrie.ca/innovationawards.