Business Innovation Award Nomination
Business Innovation Award Nomination
Algonquin College, Pembroke Waterfront Campus, would like to recognize a local business/organization for innovation through a special award. This award will be presented to a business that has demonstrated a unique Business Innovation that sets them apart from other similar local businesses.
1. Nomination Guidelines
a. You are entitled to nominate any business/organization, including your own.
c. Include at least one letter of support with your submission.
d. Submit the completed form below and letters by the deadline of 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025.
2. Award Presentation
The winner will receive two free registrations for the 2025 Fall Business Leadership Conference. The nominees will be contacted by Algonquin College and invited to attend the conference on Thursday, October 23, where the award will be announced and presented.
For more information, contact Jodi Bucholtz at bucholj@algonquincollege.com.
Thank you to our Business Innovation Award sponsor, Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation.
Previous Business Innovation Award Winners
2024
The Pilon Family Funeral Home, under the leadership of Andre Pilon and his family, has implemented several innovative practices that set them apart in the Ottawa Valley. Their early adoption of virtual services during COVID-19 allowed them to serve families when gatherings were restricted, with over 1,000 virtual attendees at some services. Additionally, in 2020, they introduced aquamation, an eco-friendly, water-based cremation alternative, making them one of only four facilities in Ontario to offer this service. This innovation has drawn families from beyond Arnprior, enhancing their reputation and reach. With around 600 aquamation cycles completed since its introduction, the Pilon Family has become a leader in offering modern, compassionate, and sustainable funeral services.
Their forward-thinking approach not only helped them navigate pandemic restrictions but also positioned them as a pioneer in environmentally friendly funeral care. The ability to offer aquamation in-house provides peace of mind for families and highlights their commitment to empowering families with more choices. This innovation has elevated their standing as the largest general provider in the region.
2023
The Petawawa Container Market offers a creative and forward-thinking approach to supporting small businesses and fostering community engagement. Unlike traditional markets, Petawawa invested in permanent container structures equipped with electrical features, lighting, and dynamic signage, creating a professional and welcoming space for aspiring entrepreneurs.
The market operates every weekend from spring through fall, providing vendors with an affordable way to gain exposure without the overhead costs associated with a storefront. Special programming, such as youth entrepreneur showcases, live music, and themed events tied to community celebrations, has further boosted its success.
With the addition of a permanent food truck and steady foot traffic from nearby sports and recreation facilities, the container market has quickly become a vibrant hub for both residents and visitors. It represents an innovative model that combines business support, community connection, and local culture freshly and sustainably.
2022
The Renfrew County District Health Unit was awarded the 2022 Business Innovation award for its extraordinary effort in coordinating COVID-19 vaccination clinics across the county. This work involved building partnerships with multiple organizations and venues while coordinating a team of volunteers. This was being done while the health unit was stretched in its response to providing public health leadership to municipalities, public and private businesses and the broader community.
2021
The Central Canada Hockey League was awarded the Business Innovation Award in 2021 for its creativity in allowing its teams to play developmental scrimmages during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The league paired teams into geographical districts and had to alter playing rules to protect players from the spread of the coronavirus, before vaccines were introduced. This included non-body contact games, no traditional face-offs and limitations on the number of players in dressing rooms. These modifications allowed the league to resume a regular season in the fall of 2021.
2020
Pembroke’s venerable SkyLight Drive-In will forever remember the summer of 2020. The outdoor movie theatre reinvented itself at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was shuttering many entertainment businesses due to provincial and health unit restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the virus. With no new movies being released, the Drive-In brought back classic films and welcomed special events, such as concerts, church services, and the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards night. It resulted in a boom in business as something old became something new. Owners Kevin Marshall and Kathy Lepine were awarded the Business Innovation Award for their creativity and community partnerships that made the Sky Light Drive-In a destination during the pandemic.
2019
Valley Eats, operated by Ryan Schmidt and Dan Renaud, is a start-up company that has created an app connecting great food across the Valley and increasing revenue for various small businesses that may not otherwise receive business. The app was created locally and focuses on supporting local businesses that meet the needs of consumers. With user experience in mind, this company makes ordering on the go effortless. With options like delivery, pre-order for pick up, or even reserve and order for dine-in. All done in the palm of your hand. This entrepreneurial endeavour has made local restaurants more accessible to all with a 20km delivery radius. This app provides a greater reach for restaurants, putting your delicious food on the tables of an untapped audience. There is no question that the business has created a niche company that caters to the Valley.
2018
Paperback Events and Consulting is a start-up company that was established less than two years ago. By employing a strategic approach to networking, the company has quickly established a strong reputation and identified niche markets in which to excel. The Mil-Spouse Collective is a great example. Building on their intimate knowledge as military spouses, the two company owners have launched a national conference set to begin in 2019, focusing on equipping military spouses with the skills and confidence needed to pursue or strengthen their entrepreneurial endeavours. The Mil-Spouse Collective won first prize at the Start-Up Canada Pitch Night held here at the college last June. Since launching, the company has revolutionized the way networking occurs in the Ottawa Valley. Social events can evolve into strategic brainstorming sessions, and every event has a story to tell. New events have been brought to our region by the business, including Ottawa Valley’s first craft beer festival and the Pop-Up Baby Show. The company has even supported dog parties. There is no doubt that the business has carved out a niche as a specialty event planning company.
2017
Whitewater Brewing Company of Cobden has been in operation since 2012 and is one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in Ontario. The business was started by three friends who admitted they knew nothing about brewing beer and started their business with a glorified home brewing system that kept them working long days, seven days a week. Often sleep-deprived, but never deterred, the young men kept experimenting with different flavours, and very quickly, it was apparent that the product had hit the mark, as craft beers like Farmer’s Daughter became commonplace in bars and restaurants throughout the Ottawa Valley. The business has grown exponentially, expanding to a significantly larger operation in the village of Cobden and now employing 52 full-time staff members. To differentiate their business from competitors, they took a chapter out of the past, offering home delivery of their product. Over a dozen people each week take advantage of this growing service. A new drive-through service has also just opened.
2016
SRB Technologies Canada Inc. of Pembroke recognized solving a supply chain issue within their company through a strategic investment in their infrastructure. The company made a decision to expand its operations to include a plastic injection molding shop. They did this because of the unpredictability of their supply chain. By making this investment, they will be able to manage their inventory much more effectively, create more jobs at their local manufacturing facility, and ultimately reduce their dependence on other companies to meet their needs.
In photo above, Christopher Doré presents Stephane Levesque, President, SRB Technologies and Ross Fitzpatrick, VP, SRB Technologies with the 2016 Business Innovator Award