8 Award Winners Announced at Last Night’s Tech Forward Awards Presented by RBC! – Digital Nova Scotia – Leading Digital Industry
8 Award Winners Announced at Last Night’s Tech Forward Awards Presented by RBC!

November 18, 2022

Innovators, change-makers and diversity champions in Nova Scotia’s technology sector were celebrated last night alongside 240 guests at our Tech Forward Awards, presented by RBC. These eight awards recognize leaders and organizations making waves in the digital industry, while promoting diversity and inclusion and helping to drive the sector’s growth. 

“From organizations that have done something incredible this year, to those driving positive change, and from leading employers to diversity and inclusion champions – as a sector, we have a lot to be proud of,” says Wayne Sumarah, CEO at Digital Nova Scotia. “It’s important to recognize the vital role that diversity plays in fueling innovation in our province, and the impact and influence of leaders and organizations within our digital community. As a province, we’re modest – but tonight we shine a light on those leading our sector.”

Our 2022 Award Winners:

“A future-focused tech team is one that is diverse and inclusive. At RBC, we celebrate the diverse people behind our ground-breaking ideas, and we work to remove biases and barriers to create a more equitable future.” said Heather Gojanovich, Director, Transformation & Innovation at the RBC Innovation Hub in Bedford.

The Tech Forward Awards have been made possible thanks to the support of sponsors and contributions provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.

“This year’s Tech Forward Award nominees and winners are paving the way for more innovation in Nova Scotia,” said Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and Member of Parliament for Halifax. “They are looking to the future and making bold changes to shape it. Their innovative projects are addressing social and economic challenges, and promoting the importance of diversity and inclusion. We’re pleased to help Digital Nova Scotia build on this momentum in the coming months, as they equip women, youth and SMEs with the education, skills and connections they need to be tomorrow’s Tech Forward leaders.”

The 2022 Award Winners:

Talent Champion Award Winner: Outshine, sponsored by MobSquad
“It’s wonderful to celebrate and to share with the community everything that makes up the culture and team experience at Outshine. We work hard to grow, attract, and retain the very best in our industry, and this type of people-first work is never finished. Being nominated by one of our teammates is such a privilege – it tells us that we’re on the right track and shows us that the investments we make in the team are truly meaningful. Nova Scotia is an amazing place to build a career and a business in tech, and we’re committed to being a part of growing this industry and its talent pool today and tomorrow. We believe that growth relies on building diversity, new perspectives, and new opportunities in the sector, and that’s how we’re building our business, too.”

Tech for Good Award Winner: Adaptiiv Medical Technologies Inc., sponsored by Covers
“We are humbled and honoured to have received this recognition. At Adaptiiv, we are committed to quality and innovation in order to deliver our solutions to cancer patients around the world. Technology combined with industry-leading collaborators allow us to evolve and provide greater access to personalized cancer care, while improving treatment and workflow efficiencies for cancer centres. Adaptiiv provides solutions that clinicians and patients deserve.”

 

Thinking Forward Award Winner:  Dr. Israat Haque, presented by ACOA
“It is a remarkable recognition and encouragement for the hard work PINet lab members have been doing over the past few years to generate a tech pipeline from Dalhousie University. We are passionate about designing novel interconnected and secure smart spaces that improve our lives. We are keen to continue our work and connect with industries to help create skilled trainees for Nova Scotia.”

 

Provincial Spotlight Award Winner: word-craft, sponsored by NSBI & Innovacorp
“One of word-craft’s missions has been to provide exceptionally talented people in rural Nova Scotia with an opportunity to work at a world-class marketing agency without having to move to a big city. It’s a huge honour to be recognized for the work we’ve done to foster rural talent and show people that you don’t have to be in a metropolitan area to work in tech.”

 

 

Best in Tech 2022 Award Winner: Rafflebox, sponsored by BDC
“Being awarded the 2022 Best in Tech award is an honour. We want to acknowledge Rafflebox’ success is, in part, because of the amazing programs and support provided for tech start-ups throughout Atlantic Canada. We are thankful for every business leaders, mentors, charity and supporter we have had the opportunity to work with.”

 

 

One to Watch Award Winner: Saratu Yakubu, sponsored by Dash Hudson
“I am both humbled and honored to be recognized for the One to Watch award. It truly represents a memorable event for my career, to remind me of the importance of dedication in this industry”

 

 


Role Model Award Winner: Prag Ravichandran Kamalaveni, sponsored by Compugen
“Nova Scotia’s tech ecosystem gave me the opportunity to coach fresh graduates, career change seekers, moms reentering the workforce on Salesforce for free. It’s been five years since we are successfully running the cohort program. I feel blessed to be recognized and honoured to be part of the Tech Forward Awards.”

 

 


Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award Winner: ISANS, sponsored by MOBIA
“We are honoured to be recognized by Digital Nova Scotia for our work supporting diversity, inclusion and digital literacy of immigrants to Nova Scotia. Our Digital Navigator program helps newcomers connect online and, with the right help, shows them they have all the skills and abilities to leverage modern technologies to their advantage. Everyone deserves to feel connected to the people and things that matter to them.”