Winnipeg, MB – North Forge marked a decade of driving Manitoba’s innovation economy with a powerful celebration at the 2026 DARE Innovation Awards, an inaugural gala recognizing the founders, builders, researchers, and community leaders shaping the province’s future.
Hosted by TEDx speaker and global connection expert Margaux Miller, the evening brought together innovators from across sectors for a night that reflected the strength, diversity, and momentum of Manitoba’s ecosystem. With 10 distinct award categories from innovations revolutionizing traditional sectors to Indigenous-led innovation and those supporting global trade, the awards spotlighted bold ideas creating real-world impact.
“This night is about more than awards. It is about the people who dare to build, challenge, andmove Manitoba forward through innovation,” said Joelle Foster, CEO of North Forge.
“For 10 years, we have watched founders turn ideas into impact, and tonight celebrates the vision,
resilience, and collaboration that make this ecosystem extraordinary.
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The event was the flagship awards gala of Tech Manitoba’s MbTech Week, an annual
celebration of Manitoba’s tech community that highlights innovation, collaboration, and growth across the province.
“The innovation happening in Manitoba is not small. It is ambitious, globally competitive, and deeply rooted in the community, ” Foster added.
“The DARE Innovation Awards show what happens when bold thinkers come together to create lasting change. ”
2026 DARE Innovation Award Winners
Ecosystem Builder Award
Honouring a leader, mentor, or organization dedicated to growing and supporting Manitoba’s innovation ecosystem.
Winner: EMILI (Enterprise Machine Intelligence & Learning Initiative)
Advancing agriculture innovation through industry collaboration and large-scale Innovation Farms that accelerate agtech adoption across Manitoba.
Shortlisted Finalists: Adam Kelly, Social Entrepreneurship Enclave (SEE), and Paul Card,
Manitoba Innovates
Emerging Innovator Award
Highlighting an early-stage entrepreneur or startup demonstrating exceptional creativity,
potential, and traction.
Winner: Adam Fainman, Moonlite Labs
A creative AI platform empowering creators in more than 80 countries to produce cinematic multimedia content through natural language.
Shortlisted Finalists: Ben Myers, Robin, and David Owasi, OutreachGenius
Innovation in Industry Award
Honouring organizations that have revolutionized traditional sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, construction, or energy through bold and original innovation.
Winner: Ukkö Robotics
Solar-powered autonomous barns developed in Manitoba that are transforming livestock operations across North America and Europe.
Shortlisted Finalists: Bushel Plus Ltd. (soon BranValt), and mode40
Indigenous Innovation Award
Celebrating an Indigenous entrepreneur or organization advancing cultural preservation or economic development through innovation.
Winner: Sandra Delaronde, Giganawenimaanaanig
Leading Indigenous-led digital storytelling and implementation of the 231 Calls to Justice of the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S+.
Shortlisted Finalists: Diane Roussin, Winnipeg Boldness, and Zachary Nelson Flett, IndigiHub
Research & Science Innovation Award
Honouring scientific and research-driven breakthroughs that transform discovery into real-world impact.
Winner: Jonatan Aronsson, CEMWorks Inc.
Advanced electromagnetic simulation tools supporting next-generation semiconductor and high-frequency electronic systems.
Shortlisted Finalists: Dr. Carmine Slipski, University of Manitoba, and Dr. Francis Lin and Dr.
Claudio Rigatto, AssureCKD
Lights, Camera, Innovation Award
Recognizing creativity and technology in film, digital media, or storytelling that elevates
Manitoba’s media landscape.
Winner: Zenfri & TiBert, Histoire Cachée In Plain Sight
A multilingual augmented reality walking tour bringing the layered history of St. Boniface to life through immersive digital storytelling.
Shortlisted Finalists: Chris Sharpe, Black Film Space Manitoba, and Erica Daniels, Kejic
Productions.
Tech for Good Award
Celebrating individuals or organizations using innovation and technology to create measurable positive impact for people, communities, or the planet.
Winner: Medechan LTD.
Delivering culturally informed telehealth services to Indigenous communities through Virtual Care Stations across Manitoba.
Shortlisted Finalists: Let’s Give Together, and QDoc.
Innovation in Trade Award
Honouring a leader, mentor, organization, or initiative that has demonstrated excellence in advancing Manitoba innovation beyond provincial borders.
Winner: Carrie McDonald, Move Mobility
Expanding Manitoba-built healthcare and transportation innovation to national and international markets.
Shortlisted Finalists: Marcel Kringe, Bushel Plus Ltd., and Katrina Jean-Laflamme and Daniel Badiou, Ukkö Robotics.
Legacy Innovator Award
Recognizing decades of leadership and lasting impact in Manitoba.
Winner: Barb Gamey, Payworks
Co-founder of Payworks and a long-standing leader whose impact has helped shape Manitoba’s
innovation landscape for over 25 years.
Shortlisted Finalists: Paul Soubry, NFI Group, and Colleen Munro, The Munro Group
North Star Award
The evening concluded with the presentation of the North Star Award to Michael Legary, a Winnipeg-based entrepreneur, investor, and technology leader recognized for building and scaling enterprise IT, cybersecurity, and AI ventures. Selected by North Forge, the award honours a visionary who embodies the organization’s mission and represents the future of Manitoba innovation.
Investing in Innovation at the Earliest Stages
During the evening, Kelly Fournel, CEO of Tech Manitoba, presented the Youth in Tech
Scholarships, recognizing Manitoba students demonstrating leadership and innovation through technology. North Forge proudly matched Tech Manitoba’s scholarships with an additional $1,000 per student, doubling each scholarship to $2,000 and reinforcing a shared commitment to the next generation of innovators.This year’s recipients, high school students Chizara A. and Antawn O., were recognized for applying technology to solve real-world challenges — from AI-powered accessibility tools to
community-driven platforms increasing opportunities for young athletes. Both students exemplify how early investment fuels bold thinking, inclusive design, and future ecosystem leadership.
A Decade of Momentum
This year’s DARE Innovation Awards marked 10 years of North Forge accelerating startups,
strengthening industry partnerships, and fueling Manitoba’s innovation economy. The message
of the night was clear. Manitoba is not just participating in global innovation. It is leading it.
About North Forge
North Forge helps people turn big ideas into real businesses. As a non-profit innovation hub based in Manitoba, North Forge works alongside founders at every stage, from early concepts to global expansion, providing mentorship, resources, funding connections, and hands-on support. By helping innovators build, test, and scale their ideas, North Forge is strengthening Manitoba’s economy and creating companies that compete on a global stage.
Media Contact:
Kristine Derksen
Director, Marketing and Communications
North Forge
204-294-4016
