VICTORIA, BC (June 15, 2019) – Last night at the Royal Theatre, the VIATEC Awards celebrated the innovation and excellence of individuals and technology companies responsible for making Victoria the fastest growing technology region in British Columbia. 49 finalists were honoured, with 15 recipients receiving newly designed astronaut trophies (designed by local artist Russell Papp), at the elaborate show. Attendance ballooned to over 1,100 guests, making it one of the largest celebrations of its kind in the nation, and VIATEC’s most attended – ever.

Erin Skillen took the reigns for the second year in a row as host for the production, bringing the perfect balance of humour, intelligence and attitude. With a theme of “There’s no place like home”, the night featured local variety show acts from Passion

and Performance Arts Inc, Atomic Vaudeville and a powerful finale accompanied by the resident awards band, in what has become an annual tradition… flying inflatable Killer Whales. The stage was brought to life by immersive video projections from VJ Photon featuring seven flown screens featuring video projection mapping along with four laser banks and five giant disco balls all supported by the incredible stage crew of the Royal Theatre. Everyone continued the celebration at the After Party with local eight piece band The New Groovement.

“It is our honour to produce a show that brings together and entertains our tech community and we relish the opportunity to highlight and celebrate some of our top performing companies and executives,” said Dan Gunn, CEO of VIATEC. “Each year gets more elaborate and we cannot say enough about our local arts community and what they bring to make this event the unique and anticipated festivity it is has become.”

WINNERS :

Technology Company of the Year (30+ employees):
(Sponsored by: Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP)

• Benevity

Technology Company of the Year (11-29 employees):

(Sponsored by: Lazaridis Institute)

• RingPartner

Scale-Up of the Year:

(Sponsored by: KPMG LLP)

• Tutela

Start-Up of the Year:

(Sponsored by: Bambora)

• Cuboh

Product of the Year:

(Sponsored by: RBC Commercial Financial Services)

• Limbic Media

Innovative Excellence – Software or Service:

(Sponsored by: Grant Thornton LLP)

• DreamCraft Attractions

Innovative Excellence – Hardware:

(Sponsored by: Wesley Clover)

• RioT Technology Corp.

Leader of the Year:

(Sponsored by: AbeBooks)

• Anita Pawluk, RaceRocks

Emerging Leader of the Year:

(Sponsored by: Roy Group)

• Stephanie Thiel, SaaSquatch

Team of the Year:

(Sponsored by: Royal Roads University)

• Encepta

Employer of the Year:

(Sponsored by: The VIATEC Foundation)

• FreshWorks Studio

NAMED RECIPIENTS (No finalists):

The Colin Lennox Award for Technology
Champion:

(Sponsored by: Reed Pope LLP)

• Erin Athene, Mint CRO

VIATEC Members of the Year:

(Sponsored by: Cox Taylor LLP)

• Sang Kiet-Ly, KPMG

Community Champion:

(Sponsored by: City of Victoria)

• RingPartner

Angel of the Year:

(Selected by the Capital Investment Network, Sponsored by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP)

• Women’s Equity Lab

Media Contact:

Michaela Schluessel
Community Manager
VIATEC
mschluessel@viatec.ca

About VIATEC

VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council), started in 1989. Our mission is to serve as the one-stop hub that connects people, knowledge and resources to grow and promote the Greater Victoria technology sector (Victoria’s biggest industry). We work closely with our members to offer a variety of events, programs and services. In addition, VIATEC serves as the front door of the local tech sector and as its spokesperson. To better support local innovators, we acquired our own building (Fort Tectoria) where we offer flexible and affordable office space to emerging local companies along with a gathering/event space for local entrepreneurs. www.viatec.ca, www.forttectoria.ca