Technology remains Victoria’s top industry, powering regional economic impact to the tune of $8 Billion across nearly 1,200 tech firms and over 20,000 workers.
Which is exactly why the VIATEC Awards are back yet again.
Returning for their 23rd year, the VIATEC Awards celebrate Victoria’s bustling technology sector.
At the VIATEC Spring Social event at Fort Tectoria this month, the 2025 Awards finalists were announced.
Among the finalists are several names that regular readers of Techcouver will recognize, such as VoxCell BioInnovation, which is up for Growth Company of the Year.
Named one of Techcouver’s 10 homegrown startups to watch in 2023, VoxCell is a leader in the field of tissue engineering and announced the launch of its first product, the Universal Bioink Kit, in 2024 at Collision. Last year, Asees Kaur of VoxCell was declared the winner of PITCH.
MarineLabs is another Growth category finalist.
The startup recently raised $4.5 million seed funding round, marking the largest investment of its kind in Canadian history for an ocean tech company, and also launched Forecast AI, an addition to MarineLabs’ flagship product CoastAware, which is a real-time weather intelligence solution that enhances safety and efficiency in maritime operations and bolsters the resilience of coastlines.
The winners of the VIATEC Awards will be revealed on May 1st at Carson Hall in the Victoria Conference Centre.
“Since 2002, the VIATEC Awards have spotlighted the outstanding leaders, companies, and products emerging from our tech sector,” said Dan Gunn, CEO of VIATEC. “This celebration is about more than just recognition, it’s also a chance for our community to come together, cheer each other on, and inspire one another.”
This year’s theme, “DiscoTech”, promises an evening of high-energy entertainment, networking, and celebration. The event will include a Creative Challenge, dinner, Awards Show, and After Party at The Coda where guests can enjoy live music from local band Tight Hair Disco.
“The event shines a spotlight on the groundbreaking and important work being done by our thriving tech sector which helps companies raise their profile with potential investors, customers, partners, future employees, government officials, and policymakers,” Gunn said. “We do this because it’s fun and it strengthens the bonds that make our tech community so special.”
Growth Company of the Year finalists are CultureFoundry, Focal, joni, MarineLabs, and VoxCell BioInnovation.
Company of the Year finalists are Atreides, Charter Telecom, Niricson Software, Solaires Entreprises, and Tecnet Canad.
Scaling Startup of the Year finalists are Ocean Diagnostics, Purple Owl Interactive, Puzzle Lab (Robazzo), Revela Systems, and Text Groove.
Emerging Startup of the Year finalists are Circl Brain, FrameBright Technology, Full On Lighting, Tourismo, and HiBoop, which is a Douglas 10 to Watch company.
Employer of the Year finalists are Barnacle Systems, Enrollment Resources, Focal, Smart Dolphins IT Solutions, and Solaires Entreprises.
VIATEC started in 1989 to support the regional tech industry.
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