Five Atlantic Canadian change-makers were recognized for their community impact at the Ecosystem Impact Awards, in partnership with RBC, during an event hosted at Volta on June 6. The Ecosystem Impact Awards was launched this year to celebrate the efforts of community leaders and supporters who are helping nurture and grow the startup ecosystem in Atlantic Canada.

The award categories include Catalyst, Positive Impact, Community Leader, Corporate Supporter, and Disruptor, and were distributed as follows:

• Ignite Labs Inc. received the Catalyst Award, which recognizes an organization that has helped create cohesion and growth in the Atlantic Canadian startup ecosystem. This can be exhibited through inter-organizational relationship building, helping with the growth of the startup community, reducing or removing barriers for startups to succeed, and more.  
• Square Roots received the Positive Impact Award, which recognizes a founder or company that has developed and implemented solutions for social, cultural and/or environmental issues, to the benefit of the community at-large.
• Build Ventures received the Community Leader Award, which recognizes a company that has directly impacted the growth and development of the entrepreneurial landscape in Atlantic Canada. This organization is dedicated to the startup community, and gives back through the donation of time, mentorship and serving as a resource in a peer to peer environment.
• McInnes Cooper received the Corporate Supporter Award recognizes a corporate partner who has been a gracious supporter of the tech startup community in Atlantic Canada. This dedicated partner actively boosts the development of our rapidly-growing technology sector by donating their time and resources, while providing mentorship, training and more.
• SomaDetect received the Disruptor Award, which recognizes an up-and-coming business in Atlantic Canada that has experienced significant entrepreneurial success over the past year. Success can be measured in a number of ways, including; innovative technology, solving a technological need, capturing a new sector or market, disruption of a service or market segment, applications of product or service and traction in, or ability to obtain traction in the international marketplace.

There were more than 40 nominations, and the recipients were selected by a panel of judges, comprised of regional business leaders.  

“The support and leadership within the startup community is one of the reasons why Atlantic Canadian companies are experiencing growth and success on national and international levels,” Jesse Rodgers, Volta CEO said. “Organizations, like the ones recognized here today, are positively shaping our ecosystem, and are helping put Atlantic Canada on the map as a map for innovation and prosperity.”  

Representatives from the event’s partner, RBC, were in attendance, noting the impact selected companies have made in Atlantic Canada.

“Atlantic Canada is a powerhouse for technology and innovation talent, and the Volta Ecosystem Impact Award recipients are proof of that,” said Jules Andrew, SVP, Enterprise Operations & Payments, RBC. “Volta’s support for diversity, inclusion and innovation in this growing community is truly commendable. At RBC, our purpose is to help clients thrive and communities prosper and we are proud to partner with Volta on these awards to recognize those making a positive impact in the region.”

Following the awards distribution, Volta kicked off their annual Summer Party, featuring food and beverages from Taste of Nova Scotia, and music by True North DJ Services.

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