Canada needs more young founders to spotlight.
Is your story worth hearing?
October 22, 2025 // Winnipeg, Canada
The Movement.
Canada isn't just a stepping stone.
It's where bold ideas are born, where they grow, and succeed.
Every year, we select 10 founders that prove Canada is a place to build.
We're looking for the builders who are turning their vision into reality. The ones who build with intention, create ripple effects, and multiply successes around them.
This isn't just about celebrating success, it's about changing the conversation.
When a young entrepreneur in Saskatoon sees a founder from Edmonton building a global company, they stop asking "Can I build this here?" and start asking "How fast can I do it?"
We're showcasing the real, diverse stories of Canadian entrepreneurship.
Because when we tell these stories well, we don't just inspire, we build a movement.
Meet the Judges
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Kayla Isabelle
CEO at StartupCanada
Siri Agrell
CEO at Betakit
Marcie Murray
Founding Partner at Backbone Angels
Female Entrepreneur Category
Tara Bosch
Founder of SmartSweets & Bold Beginnings
Chris Neumann
4x Founder turned Investor
Janet Bannister
Founder & Managing Partner at Staircase Ventures
Kirsten Koppang Telford
CEO at The Forum
Black Entrepreneur Category
Clean Tech Entrepreneur Category
Jill Robinson
Venture Developent at Kite Company Creator
Amanda Lo
Director at Foresight Canada
Emerging Young Entrepreneur Category
Mai Tuyet Trinh
Co-Founder at Red Thread Club
Tyler Nee
Co-Founder at Red Thread Club
Indigenous Entrepreneur Category
Ethan Clark
CEO and Co-Founder at Nationsfirst Technologies
Maureen Kinnear
CTO at Payworks
Emerging Tech Entrepreneur Category
Ron Gorodetsky
Canadian Startups at AWS,
3x Founder and Investor
Philippe Burns
Co-Founder at Tech Thursday
Tefari Bailey
CEO and Founder at Hutsy
Jackee Kasandy
CEO at BEBC Society
Jeff Ward
CEO at Animikii Indigenous Technology
Jacqueline Jennings
Co-Founder at The Fireweed Institute
Angela Robertson
CEO at Acetech
Maryse Gingras
VP of Business Development at Futurpreneur
Patrick Musgrave
Associate, Emerging and High Growth Companies
From the Prairies.
Every year, we head to a new city to discover what makes each ecosystem special.
This year: Winnipeg.
Where agriculture meets AI, where logistics meets innovation, and where a growing community of builders is rewriting what's possible in the heartland. We're bringing founders from across Canada to experience the prairie advantage firsthand.
With Manitoba Innovates as our partner, we're showing that great builders deserve a great stage, wherever they choose to build.
400+
Applicants
500+
Attendees
7
Winners
2,000,000+
Ecosystem Reach
Value of Joining
Game-Changing Recognition
Get your startup on the fast track. YEY Award winners receive game-changing visibility, connections, and resources that continue delivering value long after the ceremony.
Share your journey—triumphs and challenges included—on a national stage that celebrates excellence across all sectors, from social enterprises to tech scale-ups and CPG innovations.
Showcase Real Entrepreneurship
Connect with the Ecosystem
Connect with key players in Canada's entrepreneurial landscape. From corporations and investors, to mentors and founders, we’re rallying the key players that can help propel your business forward.
