Nominations for the 2024 Halifax Business Awards are now open!
MEET THE 2023 HALIFAX BUSINESS AWARDS WINNERS AND FINALISTS!
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: ESG Partners Inc.
Finalists: Chapman Family Law, Indigenous Treaty Partners, QuickFacts Inc., Simply Good Form Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Placemaking 4G
Finalists: Art Pays Me, Joyful Sounds Music Studio, Simply Go Natural Cosmetics, Taya Ties
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Nautel
Finalists: CloudKettle, First Catch Fisheries, Outdoor-Fit Exercise Systems, Solid State Pharma Inc.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank
Finalists: The PREP Academy, reachAbility, Spencer House Seniors Centre, VON Greater Halifax
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Impactful Health and Research Development
Finalists: Nothing Cleaner by AquaNaka, Elevate & Explore Black Nova Scotia Inc., Proedge Elite Training, ROCK Networks
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Cyclesmith
Finalists: CGI, Enginuity Inc., Milk Moovement, Northern Business Intelligence
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Joanne Bernard - Easter Seals Nova Scotia
Finalists: Tia Upshaw - Canadian Blk Women in Excellence Society (BWIE), Rod Kerr - Kerr Group, Andrew Doucet - rcs construction, Chantal Davie - VON Greater Halifax
What are the Halifax Business Awards?
The Halifax Business Awards is a night of celebration for the local business community. The Awards recognize the entrepreneurs, the leaders and the innovators. It's a night of shining the spotlight on our thriving business community.
The judging committee receives hundreds of nominations throughout the year and then has the difficult task of narrowing it down to 35 finalists.
Who can be nominated?
Any business owned and operated within Halifax can be nominated for the Halifax Business Awards! Chamber membership is not required or considered during the application process. See the full list of eligibility criteria by category here.
Who are the judges?
The Halifax Business Awards uses an independent volunteer judging committee made up of six (6) local business and community leaders across industries to ensure fairness, integrity and transparency.
The Committee is comprised of a Chair (2-year term; max 2 terms), a Vice-Chair (1year term - this position is filled with the Vice Chair of the Halifax Chamber Board of Directors) and four (4) other judges (2-year term; max 2 terms). The Halifax Chamber strives to ensure the members of the Judging Committee reflect the diversity of the local business community.
What are the judges looking for?
The Halifax Business Awards judging committee is looking for well deserving businesses that represent Halifax's ideals of hard work and innovation. All submissions are ranked on a scale from 0-20. Each category has a specific set of questions relevant to the category. Nominees have the option of submitting two reference letters and one page of accolades to offer additional context and support for submissions, but are not necessary.
How can I write a winning application?
Read our helpful guide here!
In partnership with RBC, we are also offering Submission 101 sessions on the following dates:
Have more questions?
Read our FAQ's page or contact Quinn, PR Coordinator at quinn@halifaxchamber.com
Meet some of our past winners and finalists!
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2022 Halifax Business Awards Winners
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Natural Butter Bar
Finalists: Eunoia Lifestyle Shop Inc., Jo to the Web Solutions, Taya Ties, The Highlander Spa
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Delectable Desserts Inc.
Finalists: Couryah Inc., Lumi Studios Media, Red Ear media, Temi Bakes
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Focal Research Consultants
Finalists: Admiral, AquaClean, CGI, Smart Income
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Kids Help Phone
Finalists: Alice House, Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia, Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlantic, St. John Ambulance
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: CarbonCure Technologies
Finalists: CacheFlo, Clean Valley CIC, Side Door, Smarter Spaces
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Precision BioLogic
Finalists: Morris East Restaurant + Wine Bar, Parkwood Home Care, The Village Veterinary Group, WLWP Wealth Planners | iA Private Wealth
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Kathleen Jay - Maplewave
Finalists: Ann-Marie Flinn - Champion Foundational Change Agency, Rebecca Cable-Munroe - Admiral, Paul Empey - Precision BioLogic, Tia Upshaw - Top Notch Cleaners & Blk Women in Excellence Society
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2021 Halifax Business Awards Winners
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Purple Cow Internet
Finalists: Bloxo Inc., Little Eden Bakery and Cafe, Premier Accounting & Tax Inc, Verge Technologies
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: The Rounds
Finalists: BeResponsive Media, Cyclesmith, RHAD Architects, Solid State Pharma Inc.
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: First Catch Fisheries Co. Ltd
Finalists: Admiral Insurance, Beaumont Exhibits, b4, CGI
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: United Way Halifax
Finalists: Adsum for Women & Children, Easter Seals Nova Scotia, Feed Nova Scotia, Solutions for Kids in Pain
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Oberland Agriscience Inc.
Finalists: Eadie Technologies Inc, Enginuity Inc, Nxtgen Care, Silverback VR (Silverback Productions Inc)
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: REDspace Inc.
Finalists: Iron Dog Inc., Spirit Spa, Storm Insurance Group, The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Matt Symes - Symplicity Designs
Finalists: Lorelei Burgess - Oxford Learning, Mathew Benvie - Evolve Fitness, Tanya Sieliakus - HR pros Inc., Tisha Parker Kemp - shiftED Academy
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2020 Halifax Business Awards Winners
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: HFX Wanderers FC
Silver: Ring Rescue Inc.
Bronze: threesixfive
Finalists: Bar Kismet, Greywave Senior Care Consulting
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Made With Local
Silver: SONA
Bronze: Preserving Traditions
Finalists: Monk Renovations, The Flag Shop
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Northern Business Intelligence
Silver: Outdoor Fit Exercise Systems
Bronze: Site 2020
Finalists: G.M. Applied Technologies, Triple Maple Trading Co. Limited
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Precision BioLogic
Silver: Saute
Bronze: Air Realty
Finalists: Junk Works Halifax Inc
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Davis Pier
Silver: FBM Architects
Bronze: Wilsons Security
Finalists: Home Instead Senior Care
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Gold: Roger King - Supplement King
Silver: Karim George - InTouch Communications
Bronze: Sherry Willison - Junk Works Halifax Inc
Finalists: Mathew Benvie - Evolve Fitness, Paul Tordon - Apex Tire Services
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2019 Halifax Business Awards Winners
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Compass Distillers
Silver: Vandal Doughnuts
Bronze: Nanuk Technologies
Finalists: New Scotland Brewing Co., Tart & Soul Cafe
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Totally Raw Pet Food
Silver: Appili Therapeutics Inc.
Bronze: New Scotland Clothing Co.
Finalists: Obladee, A Wine Bar, Pineapple Bytes Inc.
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: REDspace Inc.
Silver: Moog Focal Technologies
Bronze: Novonix
Finalists: First Catch Fisheries Co. Ltd., InterTalk Critical Information Systems
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: InterTalk Critical Information Systems
Silver: Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc.
Bronze: Athletigen Technologies Inc.
Finalists: BBD Thermal Remediation, TruLeaf
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Mezza Lebanese Restaurant Group
Silver: Bishop's Cellar
Bronze: VistaCare Communications
Finalists: Armco Group of Companies, Minuteman Press
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Gold: Joyce Carter - Halifax International Airport Authority
Silver: Tony Nahas - Mezza Lebanese Restaurant Group
Bronze: Myrna Gillia - Aqualitas
Finalists: Joe McGuinness - Legendary Hospitality Group, Karim George - InTouch Communications
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2018 Halifax Business Awards Winners
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Appili Therapeutics Inc.
Silver: Halifax Distilling Co.
Bronze: The Barrington Steakhouse & Oyster Bar
Finalists: J Farwell Sailing Co, Sattva Boutique
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: AeroVision Canada Inc.
Silver: WeUsThem
Bronze: BlueLight Analytics
Finalists: Quantum Communications, Twirp Communications Inc.
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: InterTalk Critical Information Systems
Silver: BlueLight Analytics
Bronze: VERB Interactive
Finalists: b4Checkin, World Link Food Distributors Inc.
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Nautel
Silver: Squiggle Park
Bronze: BlueLight Analytics
Finalists: Third Wave Consulting, Afishionado Fishmongers
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: PAVIA Gallery - Espresso Bar & Cafe
Silver: Archway Insurance
Bronze: Home Instead Senior Care
Finalists: InterTalk Critical Information Systems, Mezza Lebanese Kitchen
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Gold: Dave O'Connor - GLOW The Event Store
Silver: Joe Metlege - Templeton Properties
Bronze: Tony Nahas - Mezza Lebanese Kitchen
Finalists: Martina Kelades - Life Out Loud, Ross Argante - Integrated Staffing Limited
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2017 Halifax Business Awards Winners
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: SayleSafety Inc.
Silver: Good Robot Brewing Company
Bronze: Beaumont & Co.
Finalists: Halifax Paper Hearts, Signature Health
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Stone Hearth Bakery
Silver: House of Auto Details
Bronze: Monk Renovations
Finalists: Aerobics First Ltd., Black Star Wealth Partners
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Nautel
Silver: BlueLight Analytics Inc.
Bronze: Carsonexports Worldwide Auto Sales
Finalists: CarbonCure Technologies, Spa Springs Mineral Water Company Ltd
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Metamaterial Technologies Inc
Silver: Stone Hearth Bakery
Bronze: CBWES Inc.
Finalists: BlueLight Analytics Inc., Modest Tree
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Gold: Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc.
Silver: Sport Wheels Sports Excellence
Bronze: The Berkeley Retirement Residences
Finalists: Bedford Eye Care, Chef Abod Cafe & Catering
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Gold: Jennifer Gillivan - IWK Health Centre Foundation
Silver: Starr Dobson - Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia
Bronze: Allan MacIntosh - Marco
Finalists: Dianne Hamilton - Pete's Frootique, Leanne Andrecyk - ZedEvents