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.
Meet the 2025 Halifax Business Awards Finalists!
New Business of the Year
Abound Consulting Inc.
A Team Coaching
INSIGHTS PERCEPTION
IYALODE African Wholesale Market
Optimize Business Solutions & Services
Small Business of the Year
Immediac
Integral Energy Performance
Pride Beauty Lounge
The 7 Virtues
TreePad Property Management
Export Business of the Year
Maritimes Immigration Consulting
Solid State Pharma Inc.
StationDRG Media Productions Inc.
Websavers Inc.
Not-for-Profit Business of the Year
CEED
Digital Nova Scotia
Hope Blooms
The North Grove
YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth
Innovative Business of the Year
GIT Coatings
LAB 4 Inc
MOC Biotechnologies Inc.
NovaResp Technologies Inc.
Barkeep Cocktails
Business of the Year
Ambassatours Gray Line
Dash Social
Events East Group
Office Interiors
Peace By Chocolate
Business Leader of the Year
Mike Davis – Davis Pier
Aubrey Palmeter – EastPoint
Nifemi Oguntuase – LAB 4 Inc.
Jeff Mitchell – NOVA Injury Law
Jim Mills – Office Interiors
Awards Judging Committee
Matthew Martel, CEO, Black Business Initiative (BBI)
Andrew de Freitas, Director of Business Development, TMSI Ltd.
Cynthia Sweeney, CEO/Founder, Simply good Form
Lindsay Cross, Director, Marketing and Brand Integrity, Shannex
Houston Barnaby, Founding Partner, Indigenous Treaty Partners
Past Winners and Finalists
2024
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Dada Dunia
Finalists: Lignum Immigration Services, Sprout Dwellings, Fully Align Studio, Mauya The Fine Arts Tribe
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Flenjor Foods
Finalists: Alliance World Transport, iPlume Writing Inc., PowerUp Leadership, Indigevisor Ltd.
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: NOVONIX
Finalists: Stalwart Metals International Inc., Intuity Performance, Site 20/20, Flying Fresh Air Freight
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Commissionaires Nova Scotia
Finalists: St. John Ambulance, GEO Nova Scotia, Shelter Movers Nova Scotia, Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Nova Graphene Inc
Finalists: BATLX, Fem Entity, Graphite Innovation and Technologies Inc., I’m Canada Media
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Good Robot Brewing Co.
Finalists: Remember When Homecare, Rafflebox Technologies, Cabco Communications Group, CBCL
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Bradley Daye – Placemaking 4G
Finalists: Bradley Farquhar – Purple Cow Internet, Connie McInnes – RStudios, Colleen O’Toole – Lighthouse Transportation Inc., Ghada Gabr – Shoppers Drug Mart
2023
NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: ESG Partners
Finalists: Indigenous Treaty Partners, Chapman Family Law, QuickFacts Inc., Simply Good Form Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Placemaking 4G
Finalists: Simply Go Natural Cosmetics, Art Pays Me, Joyful Sounds Music Studio, Taya Ties
EXPORT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Nautel
Finalists: CloudKettle, First Catch Fisheries, Solid State Pharma Inc., Outdoor-Fit Exercise Systems
NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank
Finalists: Spencer House Seniors Centre, The PREP Academy, VON Greater Halifax, reachAbility
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Impactful Health Research and Development
Finalists: Elevate & Explore Black Nova Scotia Inc., Proege Elite Training, Nothing Cleaner by AquaNaka, ROCK Networks
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Winner: Cyclesmith
Finalists: Milk Moovement, CGI, Northern Business Intelligence, Enginuity Inc.
BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Joanne Bernard – Easter Seals Nova Scotia
Finalists: Andrew Doucet – rcs Construction, Rod Kerr – Kerr Group, Chantal Davie – VON Greater Halifax, Tia Upshaw – Canadian Blk Women in Excellence Society
2022
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
2021
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
2020
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
2019
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
2018
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
2017
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
Business Awards FAQs
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.
Who are the judges?
The Halifax Business Awards uses an independent volunteer judging committee made up of five (5) 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), 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.
How can I write a winning submission?
To learn how to write your submission, read our helpful guide.
In partnership with RBC, we hosted three Submission 101 Workshops! Watch the virtual workshop recording here.
Have more questions?
Visit our Awards Site or contact Emma Menchefski at emma@halifaxchamber.com.
