Inaugural Built in Canada Awards Celebrates the Founders Shaping Canada's Future

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TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 1, 2026--

Build Canada and Simple Ventures, in partnership with TD Innovation Partners and The Peak, last night hosted the inaugural Built in Canada Awards, bringing together more than 200 of Canada's leading entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers at the TD office at Toronto-Dominion Centre in Toronto.

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Built In Canada Award Winners, Award Presenters and Emcees for the evening.

The awards recognized eight companies and leaders across categories spanning innovation, impact, and leadership — selected from over 400 submissions representing every province and sector across the country. Awards were presented by some of Canada's most accomplished business leaders, including Mike Katchen (Wealthsimple), Chris Albinson (True North Fund), Brett Chang (The Peak), Jason Goldlist (TechTO), Jeff Adamson (Neo Financial), and Daniel Debow (Build Canada). Kids Help Phone was also featured, with remarks from Justin Scaini, Group Head & EVP of Strategy, Innovation and Transformation.

Canada has the talent, the ambition, and the natural resources to be the most prosperous country in the world. What it needs is a culture that celebrates the people turning that potential into reality. The Built in Canada Awards were created to recognize the founders, operators, and companies building world-class businesses right here in Canada, and to show the country what its builders are capable of.

"Canada is full of people who are choosing to build here — not because it's easy, but because they believe in this country," said Lucy Hargreaves, Co-Founder and CEO of Build Canada. "Tonight was about celebrating them. The founders in this room are proof that Canada's best days are ahead of us, and we're just getting started."

"We saw over 400 submissions from companies across 5 provinces and 8 sectors - the depth and quality blew us away," said Rachel Zimmer, Co-Founder & CEO of Simple Ventures. "This isn't a niche community. This is a national movement of builders, and tonight was about giving them the recognition they deserve."

Shopify President Harley Finkelstein delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for an evening focused on ambition, optimism, and the strength of Canada's entrepreneurial ecosystem. A complete list of winners is below.

2026 Built in Canada Award Winners

Pay It Forward Award — Mike McCauley,Garage Capital
Recognizing an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond to support the next generation of Canadian founders.

Next Great Canadian Company — Stephen Seibel,Clutch
Awarded to an emerging company demonstrating exceptional growth, ambition, and the potential to become a Canadian household name.

Proudly Canadian — Mohammad Norouzi,Ideogram
Celebrating a company or founder who has chosen to build in Canada and whose work puts the country on the global stage.

Impact Award — Kyle Zien & Emma Stern,Felix Health
Honouring a company making a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians through its products, services, or mission.

Rocketship — Scott Stevenson,Spellbook
Recognizing the fastest-growing Canadian company that is scaling at an extraordinary pace.

Welcome Home — Justin Herlick,Pine
Awarded to a founder or company that has returned to or chosen Canada as their home base, strengthening the domestic ecosystem.

Operator Award — Jenna Earnshaw,Wisedocs
Celebrating operational excellence — a leader who is building a world-class organization from the inside out.

Job Creator — Adrian Schauer,AlayaCare
Recognizing a company that is creating significant, high-quality employment for Canadians and investing in talent at scale.

Nominations for next year’s awards open Winter 2026.

Get involved. Join the community of builders at Build Canada at buildcanada.com. Join or lead the next generation of great Canadian companies with Simple Ventures at simpleventures.ca.

About Build Canada
Build Canada is a civic organization of entrepreneurs, leaders, and motivated citizens committed to making Canada the most prosperous country in the world. Learn more at www.buildcanada.com.

AboutSimpleVentures
Simple Ventures is a Canadian venture builder dedicated to building the next generation of great Canadian-founded companies. To learn more about Simple Ventures’ mission, visit www.simpleventures.ca.

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SOURCE: Simple Ventures

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PUB: 04/01/2026 10:34 AM/DISC: 04/01/2026 10:34 AM

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