AWARD CATEGORIES

Anchor Company of the Year (30+) These companies are the foundation on which our $4.06 billion tech sector was built. They are established with a sizeable headcount and they are bringing in considerable revenues. They are growing, expanding and taking the time to give back to our community as mentors, advisors and cheerleaders for the up and coming tech companies. Judges will consider growth, impact, product innovation, diversity + inclusion, market share and community involvement. Scale Company of the Year (11-29) These companies are the anchors of tomorrow! They are bringing in considerable revenues, they are growing, expanding and taking the time to give back to our community as mentors, advisors and cheerleaders for the up and coming tech companies. Judges will consider growth, impact, product innovation, diversity + inclusion, market share and community involvement. Growth Company of the Year These are the Greater Victoria companies that have figured out what their chosen market wants, and they've got busy selling and growing revenues. They're young with stable products, and focused on sales. They've left the launchpad, and are headed for the stars! Judges will evaluate revenue growth and team growth over multiple years, and good old business fundamentals. Startup of the Year These are some of Victoria’s newest tech companies. It’s early days but they are getting investor and customer interest (if not already raising money and sales), based on the prototypes and/or early product versions. Examples of market opportunity, executive leadership, investment and a letter of support from an investor. Product of the Year Where innovation rubber hits the road. These products have market traction and that means sales. Judges will consider total sales and sales growth, customer adoption, market share along with market disruption and level of innovation. Innovative Excellence - Hardware, Software or Service This category is for those Greater Victoria companies on an entirely different wavelength. They have researched and designed an emerging, innovative service, process or product that is expected to revolutionize a sector, method of business or way of life. Judges will consider just how disruptive this tech is likely to be. Prior commercial success is not a priority. Leader of the Year These role models have had a significant impact on the success of an organization as a direct result of their leadership and are respected by the team they lead and by other senior leaders. For this award, executives are considered to be those that typically hold senior titles, eg. Founder, CEO, CFO, COO, President, Vice-President. Other examples taken into consideration include: glowing anecdotes from their teams and other leaders, demonstrated results, examples of mentorship, or helping to remove barriers to minorities in their company or community. Emerging Leader of the Year These are the up and coming executives that have started to breakthrough as valuable leaders to a local tech firm. They're young or at least new to leadership, but they have demonstrated dedication, passion and an ability to inspire others. Judges will consider role (less than 5 years in role), impact and related career highlights e.g. glowing anecdotes from their teams and other leaders, demonstrated results, examples of mentorship, or helping to remove barriers to minorities in their company or community. Employer of the Year These are the companies who never forget to pause and take the time to think about their staff and provide a positive, welcoming work environment where team members feel they belong and are valued. This award is based on a company survey of staff and is the tech company most respected and appreciated by their staff. The Colin Lennox Award for Technology Champion Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated passion and commitment to the Greater Victoria technology sector for at least 10 years. Their long-standing support has been instrumental in Greater Victoria ‘s continued success on the world technology stage. This award is appointed (no nominations or finalists). The Janet Baird Award for Community Champion This category is for a tech company making an effort to improve our community and being successful at it on a regular basis. Efforts can include (and are not limited to): supporting charities with monetary funds or non-perishable donations, putting on fundraising events, volunteer work or creating a foundation/scholarship and time spent on volunteering. This award is appointed (no nominations or finalists). Inclusion Champion *New* This award celebrates an individual, or company that is championing diversity and inclusion issues by leading actions to remove barriers, driving an inclusive culture in the work place and taking steps to eliminate discrimination. Examples of how these actions have created a more diverse and inclusive workplace, leading to positive actions or interventions to enable talented employees to realise their full potential regardless of identity, sex, gender, race, or culture, as well as minimising discrimination will be considered. This award is appointed (no nominations or finalists). Social Impact Award *New* This award will celebrate a company or organization that is driving significant, positive change that addresses social, political, environmental or economic challenges for communities. This recipient has demonstrated how they are pioneering social change, internally or externally by measuring and achieving real world results. This award is appointed (no nominations or finalists). Angel of the Year Awarded to a local angel investor who does far more than actively invest in startups. This individual or group raises the profile of local angel investing, demonstrates a high level of investor acumen, serves as a mentor to other angels and entrepreneurs and sets a positive example within the angel community with a high level of ethics. The Angel of the Year has also made notable contributions to the angel community through her or his community service through activities such as leading significant angel rounds. The recipient of this award is selected by the Capital Investment Network and presented during the Victoria Tech Community Awards (no nominations or finalists).