This year, nominations for juried awards are being accepted in the following eight categories. For details on the full nomination process, click here.
For a complete list of past recipients of Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, click here.
Emerging Entrepreneur Award
Presented by Telus
Nominees for this award will be entrepreneurs of successful companies two to five years old (established between January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2009) who have demonstrated entrepreneurial success with excellent prospects for continued growth.
Established Enterprise Award
Presented by Prime Way Group of Companies
This award will recognize the individual who best represents the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur including, creativity, initiative, dynamic growth, and sound management. The company must be at least five years old (established before January 1, 2006).
Family Enterprise Award
Presented by Durward Jones Barkwell & Company LLP
This category comprises family-owned business of two successive generations or more. Nominees will have demonstrated initiative and enterprise in giving their company a new face, sustaining or renewing its vigour and competitiveness and/or taking it to new dimensions
of success.
Innovative Small Business Award
Presented by Sullivan Mahoney LLP
This award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated innovative activity resulting in a successful small business venture with less than 10 employees. The nominee’s company or enterprise must be at least two years old as of January 1, 2011.
International Trade Award
Presented by Niagara Helicopters Ltd and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
This award acknowledges successful entrance into the international marketplace or significant increase in export sales through entrepreneurial activity. The nominee’s company or enterprise must be at least two years old as of January 1, 2011.
Technological Innovation Award
Presented by Niagara College
The recipient will be an individual who is responsible for the exceptional performance of a company, based in the sciences or technologies (eg. health care, environmental, manufacturing, electronics); or who has innovatively used new technology to benefit the enterprise. The nominee’s company or enterprise must be at least two years old as of January 1, 2011.
Environmental Award
Presented by Photech Environmental Solutions Inc.
This award acknowledges an entrepreneur who’s company; produces a product, provides a service, or is a manufacturer of systems which have a positive impact on the environment. The nominees business must be at least two years old as of January 1, 2011.
Tourism Enterprise Award
This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial achievement within the tourism sector. The recipient will have demonstrated innovation, commitment and leadership resulting in the success of a tourism enterprise in the Niagara Region. To qualify for this award, you must fall into one of these business categories: dining, travel, accommodations, winery and/or tourist attraction or service. The nominee’s company or enterprise must be at least two years old as of January 1, 2011.
Agriculture Enterprise Award
This award acknowledges outstanding entrepreneurial achievement within the agricultural sector. It is open to established producers within the Niagara Region, including farmers, ranchers, greenhouse and grape growers, as well as producers of raw commodities such as crops, beef, hogs, poultry, dairy, or fruits, vegetables, and alternative livestock. The nominee’s enterprise must be at least three years old as of January 1, 2011.
Nominations will open Spring 2011. Click here to review a list of past award recipients dating back to 1994. See also information on our Juried Award categories.
