Mayor's Innovation Awards

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!

Mayor's Innovation Awards Logo

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.

2024 Categories

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

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Meridian logo.
Crowd gathered in gallery room. There is art projected on the gallery walls.
Gallery exhibit. There is a large pyramid structure in a room. The structure has colourful panes that are lit internally.

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

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Innovative Automation logo

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.

 

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Two performers doing light art at night. The moon is visible in the sky.

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

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Adams Hamilton logo.

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

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AIN Whitehead LLP logo.
Silhouette of large group of people in celebratory poses.
Silhouettes of people and technology

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.

Innovation award trophies
Monochrome image of crowd spectating award ceremony. The crowd consist of men and women sitting on chairs in a large conference room.
Award presenter standing behind podium. The presenter is smiling as they look at the crowd.
Group of five winners holding certificates and trophies.
Group of three people holding a novelty cheque and award certificate.
Group of eight people standing side-by-side presenting their award certificates.
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Two award winners standing in front of event sponsor banner. The award winners are showing off their award certificates.

2021 Winners

Watch the awards ceremony on the City of Barrie's YouTube and Facebook channels, where it premiered. 

2020 Winners

​Watch the 2020 Mayor's Innovation Awards ceremony on the City of Barrie's YouTube and Facebook channels, where it premiered.

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