On March 31, the TD Centre in Toronto played host to one of Canadian tech's newest traditions. The inaugural Built in Canada Awards brought together founders, operators, and leaders for an invite-only evening recognizing the people quietly shaping the country's innovation ecosystem.
Organized by The Peak alongside Simple Ventures, TD Innovation Partners, and Build Canada, the night wasn't about valuations or venture rounds — it was about the humans behind the companies.
Here's a look at this year's winners:
Pay It Forward — Mike McCauley, Garage Capital
Awarded to someone who has gone out of their way to lift others in the ecosystem, McCauley embodies the kind of generosity that makes Canadian tech a community rather than just an industry.
Next Great Canadian Company — Stephen Seibel, Clutch
Clutch is building something durable in Canada's competitive auto market. Seibel took home this award as a founder betting big on a Canadian future.
Proudly Canadian — Mohammad Norouzi, Ideogram
Even as AI draws top talent south of the border, Norouzi and Ideogram are proof that world-class AI companies can be built here.
Impact — Kyle Zien & Emma Stern, Felix
Felix is changing how Canadians access healthcare. Zien and Stern were recognized for building a company whose mission is as meaningful as its growth.
Rocket Ship — Scott Stevenson, Spellbook
Spellbook has moved fast and built something the legal industry didn't know it needed. Stevenson earned this nod for building one of Canada's most exciting emerging companies.
Welcome Home — Justin Erlick, Pine
This award goes to a founder who came back to build in Canada. Erlick is making homeownership more accessible through Pine, and doing it from right here.
Operator — Jenna Earnshaw, Wisedocs
Behind every great company is someone making it run. Earnshaw was recognized for operational excellence in scaling Wisedocs into a leader in medical records intelligence.
Job Creator — Adrian Shauer, Alayacare
Alayacare has grown into a global platform for home-based care, and Shauer has brought hundreds of Canadian jobs along with it.
