THE 2023 CANIE AWARDS
The Canada Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards—the CANIE Awards—is the Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation’s flagship program recognizing excellence in Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship throughout every province and territory across the country.
The CANIE Awards is an incredible opportunity to have your business celebrated! Our Award winners receive $10,000 business grant support in cash, 4 semi-finalists per award category will receive a professionally produced business promotional video, and their businesses will be marketed locally, regionally, and nationally. If you are, or you know a business owner who is deserving of this recognition, we encourage you to apply for one of the awards and this funding opportunity today.
And this year we are thrilled to be planning 3 in-person events as well as a national, virtual gala as part of our celebrations of the diverse and inspiring businesses across this great land.
Note: We accept applicants and nominations for business owners from all recognized Canadian marginalized or underrepresented groups.
2023 CANIE Awards
WINNERs

The CANIE Awards recognizes and honours outstanding entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in innovation, sustainability, social impact, community leadership, and business achievement. The prestigious CANIE Awards shine a spotlight on our nation’s best and brightest entrepreneurs who belong to equity-deserving communities.
In 2023, the charity was thrilled to offer four (4) 2023 CANIE Award categories to celebrate our nation’s leaders in entrepreneurship.
All 2023 CANIE Award Winners received:
- A $10,000 untethered CASH business grant!
- A National story-telling campaign and business promotions video from the charity.
- Celebrated in person at the CANIE Awards National Event, hosted at the Startup Canada Tour Brampton event on October 26th, 2023.

Global Export Business Owner of the Year Award
Sponsored by UPS
Celebrating the distinction of a Canadian business founder who has achieved success in launching their product(s) into international markets.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
- meet all the additional 2023 CANIE Awards eligibility requirements, and
- can demonstrate that the business is exporting its products to markets outside of Canada.

Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Sponsored by UPS
Sponsored by UPS
Celebrating an Indigenous founder and business owner delivering outstanding results in business and community impact.

Prince’s Trust Canada Veteran Entrepreneur Award
Presented by Prince’s Trust Canada
Awarded to a CAF Military Veteran entrepreneur who has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial skills, innovation, and leadership.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
- meet all the additional 2023 CANIE Awards eligibility requirements, and
- has been honourably discharged from Canadian Armed Forces.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by Ownr
Recognizing the excellence of a Canadian founder and business in innovation and entrepreneurial achievement.
ELIGIBILITY
All Award Category Applicants/nominees must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a business founded and based/headquartered in Canada.
- Be at least one of the following for the business the application is based on: founder, owner, co-founder, co-owner, person who owns or co-owns the entity or trademark for brand, product name, or service.
- Be active in the business and a senior leader/key decision-maker.
- Have a business that has been operating with a product or service in market and generating revenue for a minimum of two years.
- Be a member of an equity-deserving or/and racialized community(ies), per the charity’s definition (see definition below). If specified in the Award category, the applicant/nominee must be a member of the equity-deserving group identified in the category name.
- If selected as a finalist or winner, participate in all activities outlined in the 2023 CANIE Awards Application Terms and Conditions.
Previous CANIE Awards
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
AWARD PARTNERS
OFFICIAL TRAVEL PARTNER AND PREMIER NATIONAL EVENT PARTNER
COMMUNITY & EVENT PARTNERS
Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Canada
- Nearly 70% of jobs in Canada are attributable to small businesses. However, half of the owners of enterprises from this segment will retire in the next decade.
- This presents a unique opportunity to encourage Canadian entrepreneurs to build innovative and highly productive enterprises that create new jobs and wealth.
- To maintain and increase prosperity, Canada needs more startups—ambitious, scalable, sustainable businesses that foster economic growth and social development.
- By sharing award recipients’ stories of resilience and success, the CANIE Awards will inspire present and future generations to become leading entrepreneurs with an innovative and global mindset.
Objectives
- Recognize excellence in innovation and entrepreneurship across Canada by celebrating the impressive journeys and achievements of disruptors that contribute every day to the country’s entrepreneurial landscape.
- Build a network of individuals and organizations that share our passion for supporting the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem and want to contribute to its future.
- Inspire Canada’s present and future generations to be entrepreneurial innovators by sharing stories of leadership, resilience, disruption, and success in entrepreneurship.
- Promote entrepreneurial mindsets among Canadian youth with workshops on innovation, ideation, and execution.
- Increase awareness of Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and the importance of strengthening our culture of innovation.
- Inspire others to make an impact by telling your story of resilience and legacy.