The 2023 Start Alberta Tech Awards
The 6th annual Start Alberta Tech Awards took place in Edmonton on October 11, 2023. The awards recognized 12 individuals and organizations for their success and contributions to Alberta’s innovation ecosystem, and for making a significant impact in the province’s tech sector.
The 2023 Start Alberta Tech Award Winners:
- A100 One to Watch presented by A100: WaitWell
- Most Significant Transaction: CoolIT Systems
- Scaleup of the Year presented by Osler: Neo Financial
- Most Promising Founder presented by Platform Calgary: Chloe Smith of Mercator AI
- Impact Award: PainWorth
- Digital Talent Champion presented by Profound Talent: Tacit Edge
- VCAA Rod Charko Service Award presented by the VCAA: Kylie Woods of Chic Geek
- Ecosystem Supporter of the Year: Platform Calgary
- Woman in Tech presented by Innovate Calgary: Shannon Vander Meulen of WaitWell
- Investor of the Year presented by AEC: Mark Blackwell of Builders VC
- Deal of the Year presented by AEC: Jobber
- Leader of the Year presented by Edmonton Unlimited: Dr. Kristina Rinker of Syantra
2023 Tech Awards categories:
Deal of the Year
Sponsored by AEC, the Deal of the Year is awarded to the tech company that has raised the largest amount of capital in its most recent fundraising round.
The award recipient demonstrates:
- A publicly reported and verifiable capital raise that occurred between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023
- Significant impact on the Alberta ecosystem
- Is a technology-focused start-up or scale-up headquartered in Alberta
- Applications and nominations are not required for this category
Most Promising Founder
Sponsored by Platform Calgary, the Most Promising Founder is awarded to a dynamic early-stage founder recognized for their coachability, community involvement and ability to launch a technology-focused company in Alberta.
The award recipient demonstrates:
- Active community involvement in the tech ecosystem
- High willingness to help other entrepreneurs with pay-it-forward motivation by providing their expertise and time
- An Alberta-based founder or co-founder
- Launched a technology-focused start-up or scale-up within the past three years in Alberta (September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2023
Digital Talent Champion
Sponsored by Profound Talent, the Digital Talent Champion Award recognizes companies, programs, or individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership in developing the talent ecosystem, growing the digital talent pool and accelerating innovation and diversification in Alberta.
The award recipient demonstrates:
- Past or ongoing development and/or support programs and initiatives that foster digital talent development
- Prioritized hiring of local talent and initiatives to grow this effort
- Avid collaboration within and champion of Alberta’s tech ecosystem
VCAA Rod Charko Service Award
Awarded to an individual who has gone above and beyond for the technology ecosystem in Alberta.
The award recipient demonstrates:
- A commitment to creating entrepreneurial growth and success in Alberta
- An impact of activities on the Alberta ecosystem
- A long term and consistent champion of the Alberta tech ecosystem
Impact Award
Awarded to the tech company or organization that demonstrates their commitment to Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, or through their products and services assists other companies or society in general to make improvements in one or more of Environment, Social (diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging) or Governance areas.
The winning organization will describe how their offering best met these aims.
A100 One to Watch
The A100 One to Watch recognizes one of Alberta’s early-stage companies that will be the “most likely to succeed”, as nominated by the Alberta tech community and chosen by A100 Charter Members.
The award recipient demonstrates:
- Must be an innovative tech or tech-focused company incorporated in Alberta
- Must have been in operation for less than 3 years
- Must be in market and demonstrating traction
Ecosystem Supporter of the Year
Awarded to an organization known for its dedication to helping startups, scaleups, and entrepreneurs grow in Alberta.
The award recipient demonstrates:
- A mandate to support Alberta-based entrepreneurs in the innovation ecosystem
- Entrepreneurial impact
- Collaborative engagement with other support organizations
Investor of the Year
Sponsored by AEC, the Investor of the Year is awarded to an individual (Angel) or investment firm (VC or family office) that has:
- Displayed the best investment acumen over the last year in Alberta’s tech sector (demonstrated through an exit, early investment in a notable tech startup or realization of an earlier investment in the tech sector)
- Raises the profile of local investing
- Sets a positive example within the Alberta investment community with a high level of integrity
Woman in Tech
Sponsored by Innovate Calgary, the Woman in Tech is awarded to a founder recognized for her entrepreneurial success in launching a technology-focused company in Alberta. This individual has also demonstrated a passion for supporting gender equity and promoting women’s advancement, making a lasting impact on Alberta’s technology ecosystem.
The award recipient:
- Must identify as a woman in the Alberta technology and innovation space
- Holds a leadership role in an Alberta-based startup (founder, co-founder or C-level executive) and has been in her role for more than 12 months
- Has a record of launching a technology-focused startup within the past three years in Alberta (September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2023)
- Year over year revenue growth (based on review of financial statements from September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2023)
- A passion to support and promote the advancement of women in tech in Alberta
Most Significant Transaction
Awarded to the tech company that has had the most significant acquisition or exit.
Criteria:
- Based on a significant transaction between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023
- Transaction must be publicly reported and verifiable
- Preference will be given to companies that have made a significant impact on the Alberta ecosystem
- Must be a technology-focused company headquartered in Alberta
- Applications and nominations are not required for this category
Scaleup of the Year
Sponsored by Osler, the Scaleup of the Year award recognizes one of Alberta’s scaling/later-stage companies that is having a positive impact on the Alberta tech ecosystem.
The award recipient demonstrates:
- Considerable growth in both revenue and employee count
- Giving back to the tech community as mentors and/or advisors
- Through policies and/or action are executing on inclusion and diversity in the Alberta tech ecosystem
- Must be an innovative tech or tech-focused company incorporated in Alberta
- Must have been in operation for more than 3 years
Leader of the Year
Sponsored by Edmonton Unlimited, the Leader of the Year is awarded to an executive-level individual (Founder, CEO, COO, CTO, President, Vice-President, etc) who has not only had a significant impact on the success of their organization, but also serves as inspiration to their colleagues/teams, customers and community.