Bootstrap Awards are back again in Ottawa
Nominations are now open for the 2022 edition of the Bootstrap Awards honouring Ottawa entrepreneurs and founders of early-stage self-capitalized companies
The Bootstrap Awards have returned to Ottawa in 2022 to celebrate entrepreneurs and founders of self-capitalized businesses in the National Capital Region that have “bootstrapped” their growth to achieve commercial success. Award nominations will be accepted online until March 31, 2022, with winners selected and honoured later in the spring at an awards ceremony (details to be announced).
With roots dating back to the early 2000’s, the Bootstrap Awards is a grassroots annual program that recognizes the outstanding achievements of early-stage companies in all industries, both for-profit and non-profit. The Bootstrap Awards are co-presented by The Ottawa Network (TON) and national intellectual property (IP) law firm Smart & Biggar with support from community partners Invest Ottawa and Wesley Clover, and the Ottawa Business Journal as media sponsor.
“It is amazing to see the creativity and optimism that entrepreneurs in Ottawa have shown over the last 12 months. We are thrilled to honour and recognize those companies and founders who have persevered and achieved success,” says Erin Engelhardt of the Ottawa Network.
“Ottawa has a long history of tech innovation and entrepreneurship, and emerging companies developing valuable IP that benefits our whole economy. We are proud to co-present the Bootstrap Awards once again to recognize the success of these companies and founders” said Jamie-Lynn Kraft, a senior associate and trademark agent at Smart & Biggar.
Awards will be offered across eight categories including: The Green Award, the Innovation Award, the SAAS Award, the Marketing Award, the Bootstrap Capital Award, the Disruptor Award, the Community Impact Award, and the Founder of the Year Award. To be eligible for an award, a company or founder must be based in the National Capital Region—from Eastern Ontario to Western Quebec –have been in business for less than seven years and have not received more than $500,000 in outside capital funding.
Companies can apply directly for the awards, or anyone can submit a nomination on their behalf, by completing the nomination form online by March 31st, 2022.
Past winners of the Bootstrap Awards include:
- Noibu, co-founders Robert Boukine and Kailin Noivo (2021 SaaS Award)
- Extend Pharmacy Specialists, CEO/founder Jason Wentzell, manager Meghan Hayes (2021 Disruptor Award)
- Sprig Learning, CEO Jarrett Laughlin, CTO Faud Khan (2020 Community Impact Award)
- Off the Path Provisions (formerly Backcountry Wok), CEO/founder Melanie Ang (2020 Green Award),
- Brokrete, CEO/founder Jordan Latourelle (2019 Disruptor Award)
About The Ottawa Network (TON):
The Ottawa Network (TON) is a not-for-profit volunteer-run and community-driven organization whose mission is to support and encourage Ottawa area entrepreneurs in growing innovative businesses in the Ottawa region. TON connects entrepreneurs, industry professionals, academics, public servants, and students from the Ottawa area to encourage the growth of innovative ideas and businesses by providing in-person and online connection opportunities to create a nurturing and supportive community for Ottawa area entrepreneurs
About Smart & Biggar:
Widely recognized as Canada’s leading firm for intellectual property, Smart & Biggar is the largest firm focused purely on IP and related specialty areas. Smart & Biggar has the honour of working with many of Canada’s and the world’s most important innovators and brand owners, proudly supporting clients on the road to market leadership — from start-up companies in emerging growth sectors to multinational corporations, as well as innovators at universities and other research institutions – advising them on their most critical and complex IP matters with the full benefit of our unrivalled IP experience and expertise.
Media Contact:
Jenny Farrell
jfarrell@smartbiggar.ca
Marketing & Communications Specialist, Smart & Biggar