Build Canada

Build Canada and Simple Ventures hosted the inaugural Built in Canada Awards in Toronto, recognizing leading entrepreneurs and companies shaping the nation’s innovation economy. The event drew over 200 attendees and honoured eight winners selected from more than 400 submissions nationwide.

Categories included growth, impact, and leadership, with recipients such as Clutch, Felix Health, Spellbook, and AlayaCare. Shopify President Harley Finkelstein delivered a keynote emphasizing Canada’s entrepreneurial potential. Organizers said the awards aim to celebrate founders building domestically and strengthen national pride in innovation. Nominations for the next awards cycle are scheduled to open in winter 2026.

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Six weeks after its launch, Build Canada has published 14 policy memos—all authored by men, prompting criticism over its lack of gender diversity. The initiative, backed by prominent tech leaders including former Shopify executive Daniel Debow, aims to shape federal policy ahead of the election.

Of 30 public supporters, just one is a woman—supporting her husband’s memo. Despite Debow and co-organizer Lucy Hargreaves insisting women contribute behind the scenes, critics say policy development must reflect diverse perspectives. Scholars warn male-dominated authorship limits policy relevance. Build Canada has expressed interest in attracting broader participation.

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