TORONTO — More than 200 entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers convened in downtown Toronto on Wednesday evening for the inaugural Built in Canada Awards, a new celebration of the innovators and companies driving the nation's economic future. Hosted by Build Canada and Simple Ventures in partnership with TD Innovation Partners and The Peak, the event took place at the TD office in the Toronto-Dominion Centre, honoring eight standout founders and organizations selected from over 400 submissions spanning every province and multiple sectors.
The awards aim to spotlight the talent and ambition fueling Canada's entrepreneurial ecosystem, at a time when the country is increasingly focused on retaining homegrown businesses amid global competition for tech talent. Organizers described the gathering as a pivotal moment to foster a culture of recognition for those building world-class companies domestically, rather than seeing them migrate south of the border.
Lucy Hargreaves, co-founder and CEO of Build Canada, emphasized the event's significance in her remarks. “Canada is full of people who are choosing to build here — not because it’s easy, but because they believe in this country,” she said. “Tonight was about celebrating them. The founders in this room are proof that Canada’s best days are ahead of us, and we’re just getting started.”
Rachel Zimmer, co-founder and CEO of Simple Ventures, highlighted the breadth of participation. “We saw over 400 submissions from companies across 5 provinces and 8 sectors – the depth and quality blew us away,” she noted. “This isn’t a niche community. This is a national movement of builders, and tonight was about giving them the recognition they deserve.”
The evening kicked off with a keynote address from Harley Finkelstein, president of Shopify, one of Canada's most prominent success stories. Finkelstein's speech set an optimistic tone, focusing on ambition and the resilience of the domestic startup scene. Awards were presented by a roster of notable Canadian business figures, including Mike Katchen of Wealthsimple, Chris Albinson of True North Fund, Brett Chang of The Peak, Jason Goldlist of TechTO, Jeff Adamson of Neo Financial, and Daniel Debow of Build Canada.
Kids Help Phone, a longstanding Canadian charity, was also featured, with comments from Justin Scaini, group head and executive vice president of strategy, innovation, and transformation at TD Bank. Scaini's involvement underscored the event's blend of corporate and social impact themes.
The winners were announced across eight categories, each designed to recognize different facets of Canadian innovation and leadership. In the Pay It Forward Award category, Mike McCauley of Garage Capital was honored for going above and beyond to support the next generation of founders. The award recognizes individuals or organizations that mentor and invest in emerging talent.
Stephen Seibel of Clutch received the Next Great Canadian Company award, given to an emerging firm showing exceptional growth and the potential to become a household name. Clutch, a legal tech platform, was praised for its rapid trajectory and innovative approach to streamlining legal processes for businesses.
Mohammad Norouzi of Ideogram took home the Proudly Canadian award, celebrating a company or founder whose work elevates Canada on the global stage. Ideogram, an AI-driven design tool, exemplifies the choice to build innovative technology from a Canadian base, contributing to the country's reputation in artificial intelligence.
The Impact Award went to Kyle Zien and Emma Stern of Felix Health, honoring a company making a tangible difference in Canadians' lives. Felix Health, a digital healthcare provider, focuses on accessible mental health and primary care services, addressing gaps in the public system.
Scott Stevenson of Spellbook earned the Rocketship award for the fastest-growing Canadian company scaling at an extraordinary pace. Spellbook, which uses AI to assist lawyers in contract drafting, has seen explosive growth since its launch, reflecting the surge in legal tech adoption.
Justin Herlick of Pine was awarded the Welcome Home honor, for founders or companies returning to or choosing Canada as their base, thereby strengthening the local ecosystem. Pine, a fintech firm specializing in investment tools, represents the trend of repatriating talent to build sustainable domestic operations.
Jenna Earnshaw of Wisedocs received the Operator Award, celebrating operational excellence in building a world-class organization. Wisedocs, which automates medical record processing for insurers, was lauded for its efficient internal structures and focus on scalability.
Finally, Adrian Schauer of AlayaCare clinched the Job Creator award, recognizing a company creating significant, high-quality employment and investing in talent. AlayaCare, a home care software provider, has expanded rapidly, employing hundreds across Canada and supporting the aging population's needs.
Build Canada, the civic organization behind the event, positions itself as a champion for making the country the world's most prosperous through entrepreneurship. Founded to unite leaders committed to this vision, it emphasizes leveraging Canada's natural resources, talent, and ambition. Simple Ventures, its co-host, is a venture builder dedicated to launching Canadian-founded companies, with a mission to cultivate the next wave of industry leaders.
The awards come at a juncture when Canadian policymakers and business groups are pushing initiatives to bolster domestic innovation. Recent federal budgets have allocated billions for tech research and startup incentives, amid concerns over brain drain to the U.S. Events like this one, according to organizers, help build momentum for a 'builder' culture that keeps talent and investment at home.
Attendees included representatives from across the country, with submissions hailing from provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, and beyond. The diversity of sectors — from fintech and health tech to AI and legal services — illustrates the broad scope of Canada's entrepreneurial landscape.
Looking ahead, nominations for the 2026 Built in Canada Awards will open in the winter, inviting broader participation. Organizers encourage involvement through Build Canada's community at buildcanada.com or Simple Ventures at simpleventures.ca, signaling plans to expand the event's reach.
The inaugural ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also highlighted the collaborative spirit needed to position Canada as a global innovation hub. As Finkelstein noted in his keynote, the strength of the ecosystem lies in its interconnectedness, from investors to operators to policymakers all rallying around shared goals.
For the winners and attendees, the night served as both validation and a call to action. In a press release, Build Canada reiterated its belief that Canada possesses the ingredients for unparalleled prosperity, provided it nurtures its builders. With over 200 in attendance, the event underscored a growing consensus: Canada's entrepreneurial potential is ripe for realization.