The Tech Awards powered by Deloitte Canada recognizes and rewards technology innovators of all stages for their achievement and success all while raising the profile of the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent tech community.
These awards are part of a week-long celebration – Tech Week YQG from October 21 – October 26.
Companies eligible for the awards include companies of all stages and sectors including: Advanced Manufacturing and Autotech, Digital Media & IT, Medtech, Agritech and Cleantech.
This year WEtech has introduced two new award categories, including ‘Woman in Tech of the Year’ recognizing the achievements of women in technology fields, and two ‘#OMGrobot Awards’ recognizing a FIRST Robotics Student and Alumni who have made outstanding contribution to their team, school and community.
This year’s awards will piggyback on the 4th Annual Nerd Olympics Closing Ceremonies powered by Code Ninjas Windsor and the official closing of Tech Week YQG on October 26th.
Award Categories
Tech Professional of the Year: This award recognizes an individual tech professional. The person has demonstrated excellence in his or her field as well as leadership that has positively impacted the community.
Tech CEO of the Year: This award recognizes an executive who exudes innovation and demonstrates sound business judgment, leading the growth of their company’s business and brand. This individual has a proven track record of being a successful leader within their company and their community.
Tech Mentor of the Year: This award recognizes an individual who demonstrates outstanding dedication to mentoring early stage tech startups
Tech Teacher of the Year: This award recognizes an exceptional elementary and secondary school teacher in all disciplines for their remarkable dedication to preparing students for a digital and innovation-based economy.
Technology Adoption Award: This award recognizes a local business who has adopted technology to enhance their operations and customer experience. This includes software, POS systems, payment systems, social media, etc…
Tech Startup of the Year : This award recognizes a new startup who has launched their service or product within the last two years. The startup can be pre-revenue and with emphasis on potential as well as realized success.
Tech Company of the Year: This award recognizes a company that has demonstrated business leadership and excellence in technology / innovation combined with a commitment to the knowledge-based sector in the Windsor-Essex region. Consideration in this category requires increasing profitability, community involvement and thought leadership, and demonstration of sound business fundamentals. A minimum of 5 years in business is required for judges to investigate the organizations’ growth and track record.
Tech Researcher of the Year: This award recognizes a faculty member of a local post-secondary institution who has made a significant contribution to research in the areas of technology and innovation
Woman In Tech of the Year: This award recognizes, celebrates, and makes visible the achievements of women in technology fields. This individual demonstrates a clear passion for technology, this may be through extra curricular activities, professional career, mentorship, etc…
Tech Student of the Year: The award recognizes a standout young student under the age of 30 who has demonstrated a proven commitment to our local tech community through outstanding scholarship, and exemplary leadership and community involvement.
#OMGRobot Award (Student): This award recognizes a FIRST Robotics Student who has made outstanding contributions to their team, school, professions or communities. Individuals can include students of FIRST Lego, FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST FRC.
#OMGRobot Award (Alumni): This award recognizes a FIRST Robotics Alumni who has made outstanding contributions to their team, school, professions or communities. Nominees should have at least 1 year since graduation of FRC (high school) robotics.
WEtech Choice Awards: This award recognizes a person and a company that just ROCKS. This person and company has played a Rockstar roll in helping to build and support the local technology community. The award winners are determined by the WEtech Alliance team members.
NOMINATIONS AND VOTING
Nominations will open August 26 and close September 16. All nominations received will be compiled, with the top five (5) nominees going forward for public voting from September 23 to September 30 using the Facebook platform. Finalists are encouraged to share their respective award post and encourage friends and followers to vote. The finalists then will go to the final stage of review – a panel of judges – comprised past Tech Awards Winners, a Deloitte representative and members of the local tech community.
Judges will review the finalists in each of the Tech Award categories and selected one (1) winner, which will be announced at our Tech Awards event to be held during the Tech Week YQG.
To help our judges make an informed decision, all 5 finalists in each category will be asked to complete a brief Finalist Questionnaire by Monday, October 1, outlining why you are deserving of this award. This is your chance to BRAG!
Judges will review the finalists in each of the Tech Award categories and determine 1 winner based on the following weighted value:
Public Voting: 1/3
Tech Awards Judges Voting: 2/3
IMPORTANT DATES
Stage 1 – Call for Nominations (August 26th thru September 16th)
Stage 2 – Top five (5) Candidates selected by WEtech Alliance Team
Stage 3 – Public Voting – Monday, September 23th @ noon until Monday, September 30th @ noon
Stage 3 – Judging
Stage 4 – Winners Contacted (The week of October 7th)
Stage 5 – Winners Revealed to the Public and Media at Tech Awards Event (Oct. 26th)
AWARD CEREMONIES
Tech Award Winners will be announced publicly October 26th at Imagine Cinemas Lakeshore during the official Tech Week YQG Tech Awards Event. Award winners will be contacted starting October 12th to inform them of their success. Each winner will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the event.
To help our judges make an informed decision, all 5 finalists in each category will be asked to complete a brief Finalist Questionnaire by Monday, October 1st, outlining why you are deserving of this award. This is your chance to BRAG!
Follow our Eventbrite page to be notified when tickets go on sale!