
The sixth Mayor’s Innovation Awards cultivated stories of strength, creativity and adaptation from across Barrie. These awards recognize businesses, individuals and organizations whose innovative approaches and sheer determination contribute to a resilient foundation for our city.
In 2024, local innovators were recognized in six award categories: Pivot Point, Creative Collaboration, Youth Innovator, Research & Innovation Contribution, Shift Disturber and Municipal Innovation.
The City received over 60 nominations, which were open until October 16, 2024. Nominations were evaluated by 18 judges from various industries and business backgrounds on criteria like creativity, innovation and the nominee’s wider contributions to Barrie’s development.
Congratulations to the 2024 Winners
The winners of the sixth Mayor’s Innovation Awards were announced at an awards ceremony on November 28, 2024.

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre Emergency Department

YMCA of Simcoe-Muskoka

Georgian College's Department of Social Innovation

Georgian College's Department of Research and Innovation

metricHEALTH Solutions Inc.

Cristhian Cruz, HeatPro

Jesse Kerr, Sandbox Centre

In-Sourcing Property Maintenance, Corporate Facilities
Watch the Mayor's Innovation Awards winners playlist to hear from each of the winners:
Runners-up & all Nominees
Congratulations to the 2024 Mayor’s Innovation Awards runners-up, as well as all of this year's nominees! Read our blog posts to learn about each nominee.
2024 Categories
Pivot Point
Recognizing a company or organization that has discovered and pursued opportunity to grow in unexpected directions when faced with market or operational challenges. A need to purposefully take action with risk was addressed and implemented. They have assessed, adapted and evolved with key changes to their business model or processes that show promising results. Actions may include new revenue sources, new uses for products, evolving to service new needs and more.
Sponsored by: Innovative Automation



Creative Collaboration
Recognizing two or more companies or organizations that have forged an alliance and reached new heights or achievements that they couldn't have reached alone. Contributions may be across sectors, industries, geographies or verticals. Milestones may span the development of new products, services, supply chains, operations and beyond!
Sponsored by: Meridian

Research & Innovation Contribution
Recognizing industry and academic researchers, as well as entrepreneurs, whose innovative activities have had high impact on their individual business or sector, engaging knowledge users throughout the process.


Youth Innovator
Showcasing youths’ creations and demonstrating the incredible learning that comes through entrepreneurship. This award encourages youth entrepreneurs of all types – from students working on capstone projects to those working on their own non-profit, for-profit or social enterprise – to develop their ideas, products/ services, or even improvements for an existing product or procedure. A monetary award will be assigned for the winner to put towards their venture. To be eligible, nominees must be under the age of 25 at the time of applying and either a full-time student or returning to school full-time in the next academic year.
Sponsored by: AIN Whitehead LLP

Shift Disturber
Recognizing an individual who has championed innovation in their organization or community. Where others see opposition, they see opportunity. This individual is a powerhouse of creative problem solving, shaking up norms and spearheading strategic solutions in the midst of uncertainty.
Sponsored by: Adams Hamilton



Municipal Innovation
Recognizes the individuals, teams, and departments at the City of Barrie for their commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public service. Public nominations are not accepted for this category; projects are brought forward through a separate submission process.
Collaborating Partners
The Mayor's Innovation Awards is a massive community initiative that encompasses collaboration and bold new ways of moving forward in an ever-changing climate. Invest Barrie would like to thank our sponsors Adams Hamilton, Meridian Credit Banking, Agema Work Inc., Innovative Automation, and Ain Whitehead LLP, as well as our judges, everyone who nominates, and the nominees themselves.
Event Photos
Past Winners

DriverDX

Wesley O'Leary - North Pro Home & Cottage Services

Miski Brewing

Henery Bernick Entrepreneurship Centre

Georgian Angel Network

Stuart Morley - Morley & Associates

Sara Bentham

Recreation & Culture Department for the Electric Ice Resurfacing Units project

AGEMA Work

Black Controls Company Inc.

Tourism Barrie

Theatre by the Bay

Marcia Woods of FreshSpoke

Barrie Families Unite

The Electric Motor Coil Company

Xcelerate Summit committee

Canopy Coworking
2019 Winners

Order Ease

Theatre by the Bay

Environmental Systems Corporation

Grove Park Home
