Brent Mainprize and UVic honored at inaugural Startup Canada BC awards

UVic and the Gustavson School of Business were big winners at the recent BC regional Startup Canada awards.

UVic was given the award as the Most Entrepreneurial Post-Secondary Institution of the Year. This prize is “Awarded to the college or university that demonstrates the largest commitment and impact in advancing entrepreneurship.”

Among many new venture initiatives at UVic, the nomination highlighted the accomplishments of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, Research Partnerships and Knowledge Mobilization, the Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE), CanAssist and the Vancouver Island Technology Park.

And Dr. Brent Mainprize, professor in the Gustavson School of Business, was named Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year.  Mainprize was selected for his “demonstrated excellence in educating, empowering and equipping entrepreneurship students with the attitudes, skills, experiential learning opportunities and networks needed to pursue successful entrepreneurial ventures …”

“I am immensely proud of Dr. Mainprize and the University of Victoria as a whole for reaching this level of success in the entrepreneurial community,” says Dr. Saul Klein, dean of the school of business and nominator for both awards.

This is the inaugural year for the awards, which Startup Canada says “…celebrate and distinguish the individuals, communities and institutions in Canada that have demonstrated innovation, excellence, outstanding achievement and impact in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship.” Nominations and applications from across Canada topped 260 the first year.

The BC Winners remain in contention for the national awards, coming up at the end of May. Votes from the public will count for 10 per cent of the total scoring for each candidate. The deadline is May 23, please vote.

Startup Canada, billed as “the voice of entrepreneurs”, leads Canada's grassroots effort to build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that will fuel economic prosperity.