Top 5 finalists announced for Small Business BC Awards

Credit: Small Business BC on Twitter

Winners in each of the 10 categories will be announced on February 23

The finalists for the Small Business BC Awards were whittled down today as five remaining contestants were announced for each of the 10 categories.

Previously, Small Business BC asked the public to nominate businesses in each of the following categories: premier’s people’s choice, best apprentice training, best community impact, best company, best concept, best employer, best immigrant entrepreneur, best innovation, best international trade and best marketer.

The 10 candidates receiving the most votes in each category made the short list; those companies then submitted detailed applications in hopes of making the final five.

The awards gala takes place on February 23 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Winners will receive $1,500 cash in the form of the Premier’s Prize, plus a one-year all-access pass to Small Business BC education and experts.

Here’s the full list of nominees for the 15th annual awards.

 
PREMIER’S PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Presented by the Province of British Columbia
 
Duffy Baker Construction Corp., Penticton
Okanagan Rawsome Natural Foods Inc., Grindrod
Rising Knead Bakery, Whistler
The Gibsons Butcher, Gibsons
ULAT Dryer Balls, Parksville

BEST APPRENTICE TRAINING
Presented by ITA
 
Capilano Builders, North Vancouver
Mountain Pacific Mechanical, Chilliwack
Northern Legendary Construction Ltd., Fort St. John
Shoesmith Construction, Fernie
Technicon Industries, Terrace
 
BEST COMMUNITY IMPACT
Presented by Vancity
 
Debra Lynn Creations, Surrey
Hot Mama Health & Fitness Franchising Ltd., Victoria
Keela, Vancouver
Recycling Alternative, Vancouver
Zero Ceiling Society of Canada, Whistler
 
BEST COMPANY
Presented by Sage
 
BikeHike Adventures, Vancouver
Csek Creative, Kelowna
eVision Media, Abbotsford
Innergy Corporate Yoga, Chilliwack
Wicks Electric Inc., Vancouver
 
BEST CONCEPT
Presented by Rogers
 
Barnacle Systems, Victoria
Coast Protein, Vancouver
Sea to Sky Removal, Squamish
Studiostone Creative, Vancouver
Tubify, Vancouver
 
BEST EMPLOYER
Presented by TruShield Insurance
 
Aequilibrium, Vancouver
Imperial Custom Wood Finishing Ltd., Abbotsford
Island Lake Lodge, Fernie
Pathfinder Endeavours Ltd., Prince George
The Directorship, Vancouver
 
BEST IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR
Presented by Small Business BC
 
Envisioning Labs, Vancouver
FreshWorks Studio, Victoria
Little Hut Curry, Powell River
Miku Vancouver, Vancouver
Ophthalight Digital Solutions, Vancouver
 
BEST INNOVATION
Presented by Western Economic Diversification Canada
 
Algabloom International Ltd., Richmond
Ava Technologies Inc., Vancouver
Certn, Victoria
Nada, Vancouver
Winecrush, Penticton
 
BEST INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Presented by UPS Canada
 
Domestic Objects, Vancouver
Furever Clean Dog Wash, Victoria
Ironside Design Manufactuing, Chilliwack
Search & Rescue Denim, Vancouver
Vitalis Extraction Technology Inc., Kelowna
 
BEST MARKETER
Presented by KPU
 
Domestic Objects, Vancouver
Island Lake Lodge, Fernie
Nettle’s Tale Swimwear, Vancouver
Twirling Umbrellas, Kelowna
Two Wheel Gear, Vancouver