Canadian Innovation Stories
Fredericton, NB
Chinova Bioworks has achieved notable success by transforming upcycled white button mushroom stems into Chiber, a clean-label preservative that extends shelf life and reduces food waste for global food and beverage brands. The company has scaled production capacity multiple times, expanded internationally, and attracted significant inves
Chinova Bioworks has achieved notable success by transforming upcycled white button mushroom stems into Chiber, a clean-label preservative that extends shelf life and reduces food waste for global food and beverage brands. The company has scaled production capacity multiple times, expanded internationally, and attracted significant investment to meet surging demand for natural preservatives. Its innovative approach has earned industry awards and positioned Chinova as a leader in sustainable, mushroom-powered food technology.
Dartmouth, NS
CarbonCure Technologies has achieved global recognition as a leader in low-carbon concrete, transforming captured CO₂ into a valuable resource that strengthens concrete while cutting emissions. Its technologies are now deployed in hundreds of plants across more than two dozen countries, delivering over 500,000 metric tons of CO₂ savings
CarbonCure Technologies has achieved global recognition as a leader in low-carbon concrete, transforming captured CO₂ into a valuable resource that strengthens concrete while cutting emissions. Its technologies are now deployed in hundreds of plants across more than two dozen countries, delivering over 500,000 metric tons of CO₂ savings and tens of millions of cubic yards of lower-carbon concrete. Award wins, including the Carbon XPRIZE and Cleantech 100 Hall of Fame, further underscore its innovative success.
Ottawa, ON
Ottawa, ON
Shopify has become a global commerce leader by turning complex online retail into an accessible, scalable platform for entrepreneurs of all sizes. Its subscription-based model, extensive app ecosystem, and integrated payments, POS, and logistics tools enable merchants to launch, grow, and internationalize quickly while keeping control of
Shopify has become a global commerce leader by turning complex online retail into an accessible, scalable platform for entrepreneurs of all sizes. Its subscription-based model, extensive app ecosystem, and integrated payments, POS, and logistics tools enable merchants to launch, grow, and internationalize quickly while keeping control of their brand experience. By continuously evolving with AI-driven features and omnichannel capabilities, Shopify has powered millions of stores worldwide and helped create a new generation of digital-first businesses.
Edmonton: "311 Digital Assistant"
Edmonton: "311 Digital Assistant"
Edmonton: "311 Digital Assistant"
The City of Edmonton enhanced its 311 service with an AI‑powered Digital Assistant launched in 2021 to provide 24‑hour support for services such as Waste Services and Edmonton Transit, reducing call volumes and improving response times. This innovation forms part of Edmonton’s Business Technology Strategy, led by the City’s information
The City of Edmonton enhanced its 311 service with an AI‑powered Digital Assistant launched in 2021 to provide 24‑hour support for services such as Waste Services and Edmonton Transit, reducing call volumes and improving response times. This innovation forms part of Edmonton’s Business Technology Strategy, led by the City’s information technology leadership within the Integrated Infrastructure Services department and the Service Innovation and Performance branch.
Ontario: "ServiceOntario"
Edmonton: "311 Digital Assistant"
Edmonton: "311 Digital Assistant"
ServiceOntario has expanded a “digital‑first, not digital‑only” model, moving hundreds of high‑volume services such as health cards, driver’s licences, and vehicle registrations online, with features like video appointments and email/calendar reminders to reduce in‑person visits and wait times. This work is overseen by the Ministry of Pu
ServiceOntario has expanded a “digital‑first, not digital‑only” model, moving hundreds of high‑volume services such as health cards, driver’s licences, and vehicle registrations online, with features like video appointments and email/calendar reminders to reduce in‑person visits and wait times. This work is overseen by the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, led by Minister Todd J. McCarthy, with ServiceOntario as the operational arm.
Region of Peel: "Digital Peel"
Edmonton: "311 Digital Assistant"
Region of Peel: "Digital Peel"
The Region of Peel’s “Digital Peel” program is a multi‑year digital transformation initiative focused on personalized, online, and self‑serve access to regional services, including tools like live chat, online TransHelp ride booking, and customer accounts for easier interactions. The program is framed under Peel’s 2024–2027 Strategic Age
The Region of Peel’s “Digital Peel” program is a multi‑year digital transformation initiative focused on personalized, online, and self‑serve access to regional services, including tools like live chat, online TransHelp ride booking, and customer accounts for easier interactions. The program is framed under Peel’s 2024–2027 Strategic Agenda pillar of Service Excellence and is sponsored and governed by Peel’s senior leadership team and Digital Peel program office.
Austin Headley - ShopBroker
Scott Ashley - GetReady Global
Austin Headley, from Toronto is the creator of ShopBroker, a marketplace platform reinventing how people buy and sell high‑value items locally. His innovative approach replaces risky in‑person meetups with secure escrow payments, verified delivery partners, and a focus on safety, trust, and convenience. By making it easier to trade qual
Austin Headley, from Toronto is the creator of ShopBroker, a marketplace platform reinventing how people buy and sell high‑value items locally. His innovative approach replaces risky in‑person meetups with secure escrow payments, verified delivery partners, and a focus on safety, trust, and convenience. By making it easier to trade quality pre‑loved items, Austin advances both sustainable consumption and community‑driven commerce, proving that local marketplaces can be modern, secure, and socially responsible.
Scott Ashley - GetReady Global
Scott Ashley - GetReady Global
Scott Ashley, from Toronto is recognized for his leadership and vision in founding GetReady Global, a firm pioneering cloud-based solutions that help hospitals, municipalities, and businesses respond to emergencies with speed and confidence. He developed innovative platforms integrating emergency management, business continuity, and inf
Scott Ashley, from Toronto is recognized for his leadership and vision in founding GetReady Global, a firm pioneering cloud-based solutions that help hospitals, municipalities, and businesses respond to emergencies with speed and confidence. He developed innovative platforms integrating emergency management, business continuity, and infectious disease response into one accessible tool, driving industry change and bolstering organizational resilience across Canada.
Corey Janke - iMPOWER Counselling
Corey Janke - iMPOWER Counselling
Corey Janke, from London founded iMPOWER Counselling Services to transform how individuals access mental health support. Through a client-centered and strength-based approach, Janke integrates evidence-informed counselling with innovative community programs that promote resilience and self-empowerment. His vision emphasizes accessibilit
Corey Janke, from London founded iMPOWER Counselling Services to transform how individuals access mental health support. Through a client-centered and strength-based approach, Janke integrates evidence-informed counselling with innovative community programs that promote resilience and self-empowerment. His vision emphasizes accessibility, compassion, and collaboration, ensuring every client feels supported in achieving personal growth. iMPOWER’s model stands out for combining clinical excellence with social innovation, helping reshape the landscape of counselling and wellness services in Canada.
CCNDR: "Digital Capacity"
CCNDR is a national nonprofit initiative launched by sector leaders to build the digital capacity of Canada’s nonprofit organizations. With support from public funders such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation and provincial partners, it convenes working groups on data standards, digital skills, shared platforms, and infrastructure so fron
CCNDR is a national nonprofit initiative launched by sector leaders to build the digital capacity of Canada’s nonprofit organizations. With support from public funders such as the Ontario Trillium Foundation and provincial partners, it convenes working groups on data standards, digital skills, shared platforms, and infrastructure so front-line agencies can modernize services and reach more people efficiently. Co‑founders include Imagine Canada and a network of over 85 advisors from across the nonprofit ecosystem.
Centraide of Montreal: "DATAide"
Centraide of Greater Montreal, a major community nonprofit, leads the DATAide initiative to strengthen digital resilience across approximately 3,000 Quebec community agencies. With a three‑year, $5.4 million investment from Quebec’s Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, DATAide helps agencies adopt better data practices,
Centraide of Greater Montreal, a major community nonprofit, leads the DATAide initiative to strengthen digital resilience across approximately 3,000 Quebec community agencies. With a three‑year, $5.4 million investment from Quebec’s Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, DATAide helps agencies adopt better data practices, tools, and skills so they can target services, measure outcomes, and respond more quickly to community needs. This has directly improved how front‑line organizations understand and serve vulnerable populations.
ICCS: "Improve digital services"
ICCS: "Improve digital services"
The Institute for Citizen‑Centred Service is a Canadian not‑for‑profit that partners closely with federal, provincial, and municipal governments to improve how people experience digital public services. In recent years it has worked with the Canadian Digital Service and other jurisdictions on innovations such as interoperable digital cre
The Institute for Citizen‑Centred Service is a Canadian not‑for‑profit that partners closely with federal, provincial, and municipal governments to improve how people experience digital public services. In recent years it has worked with the Canadian Digital Service and other jurisdictions on innovations such as interoperable digital credentials, better cybersecurity practices, and shared research on citizen expectations, helping governments design more seamless, user‑centred online services. These collaborations have reduced access barriers and improved service consistency across channels.
The Innovate Council Canada is a TreCo program!
The Innovate Council Canada is an initiative of The Roundtable Event Company aimed at fostering community collaboration among leaders from across Canada. The goal is to facilitate leadership networking and collaborate on ideas and projects that are essential for sparking innovation nationwide. Our mission is to spark Canadian innovation!