The sixth Mayor’s Innovation Awards cultivates 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.
Five award categories are returning in 2024, including Pivot Point, Creative Collaboration, Youth Innovator, Research & Innovation Contribution and crowd favourite, Shift Disturber. The Municipal Innovation category is also returning, which recognizes the individuals, teams, and departments at the City of Barrie.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the winners in late November!
Congratulations to the Nominees
Congratulations to the 2024 Mayor’s Innovation Awards nominees! Nominations were open until October 16, 2024 at 11:59pm. Read about the award categories below.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.