10 Kamloops companies up for Startup Canada awards tonight at The Rex

Kamloops is hosting the regional Startup Canada Awards tonight at The Rex and there is no shortage of local representation on the list of finalists.

Tonight, we're celebrating those driving impact and demonstrating excellence in British Columbia's entrepreneruship and innovation community at the regional #StartupCanAwards! Connect with the movers and shakers of the British Columbia entrepreneurship community during the reception - network over drinks and mingle with key players, including this year's British Columbia winners. Get your last minute tickets now at startupaward.ca/events.

A post shared by Startup Canada (@startup.canada) on Sep 15, 2017 at 6:46am PDT

Several local entrepreneurs and businesses are up for awards tonight. The celebration, organized this year by Kamloops Innovation and Startup Kamloops, toasts to those demonstrating excellence in B.C.’s entrepreneurship community. Kamloops nominees include:

Woman Entrepreneur:

• Geralyn Alain | Co-founder of Barre Kamloops | @BARREKamloops

Senior Woman Entrepreneur:

• Vicki Collett | Co-owner of Harper's Trail Winery

Entrepreneur Promotion:

• Deb McClellend | Executive Director of Kamloops Chamber of Commerce | @KamloopsChamber
• Michael Henry | Dean of TRU School of Business and Economics | @mikehenry1

Entrepreneur of the Year:

• Dan Rink | CEO of iTel Networks | @itelnetworks
• Luke Aulin | CEO of RTOWN | @LukeAulin

Innovation Award:

• Hummingbird Drones | Co-Founder and CEO, Robert Atwood | @HBdrones
• Streamline Technologies | VP Sales & Marketing, Dan de Palma | @streamlinenav
• Katipult | CTO, Doug McLean | @Katipult
• Axis Forestry | CEO, Wayne Cochran

High Growth Entrepreneurship:

• RTOWN | CEO, Luke Aulin | @RTOWN_

The Startup Canada team has officially landed in #Kamloops! We will see you tomorrow at the #StartupCanAwards! pic.twitter.com/E502EsKBSH

— Startup Canada (@Startup_Canada) September 14, 2017

Several local dignitaries will be presenting awards, including:

• MP Cathy McLeod,
• MLA Todd Stone,
• MLA Peter Milobar,
• Deputy mayor Arjun Singh,
• TRU president Dr Alan Shaver,
• TRU dean Dr. Michael Henry,
• Finlay Stewart, CEO of TRUCT, and
• Pat Davis, CIO of BCLC.

The awards are free to attend, but you need to register to get a ticket. A networking reception is set for 5:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony will get underway at 6:30 p.m. Hotel 540 is hosting a rooftop after party following the awards.