VIATEC Unveils Award Finalists Ahead of ‘Western Neon’ Event

In 2026, The VIATEC Awards are back for a 24th year.

This year’s theme of “Western Neon” promises high-energy entertainment, networking, and celebration, according to a statement.

“Western Neon captures the energy of the West as a place of ideas, creativity, and reinvention,” explains Dan Gunn, chief executive officer of VIATEC. “It blends the glow of modern innovation with the spirit of building at the edge—where technology, imagination, and community shape what comes next.”

This week, finalists were announced at Fort Tectoria.

Readers of Techcouver will recognize many names on the list, such as VoxCell, MarineLabs, and Barnacle Systems.

Below, the full list.

Emerging Company of the Year

• CaseClock
• Cellulotech
• Daxtech IT Solutions
• LampPost Social
• WikiSleep

Growth Company of the Year

• Language Foundry
• Puzzle Lab
• VoxCell

Company of the Year

• Atreides Caseri
• MarineLabs
• Text Groove Communications

Emerging Leader of the Year

• Cassidy Quaite (Barnacle Systems)
• Chantaille Ash (Insight Marketing Media)
• Farrah Costo (First Light Technologies)
• James Gatsi (Tecnet Canada)
• Simon Savage (Workday)
• Zabrina Ting (Velora CX)

Leader of the Year

• Emilie de Rosenroll (Atreides Caseri)
• Christopher Moreno (MarineLabs)
• Humaira Ahmed (BestHuman)
• Karolina Valente (VoxCell)
• Oguzhan Alparslan (DynamicCRM Software)
• Paul Stokes (Workday)

Innovative Excellence – Software/Service

• Archipelago
• BestHuman
• Carma Logix Labs
• GreenBirdi
• Velora CX

Innovative Excellence – Hardware

• ASAsoft Canada
• Azor Biotek
• Barnacle Systems
• Redlen Technologies
• VoxCell

Product of the Year

• Eterio Realities
• Language Foundry
• Text Groove Communications
• WikiSleep
• Wireless PnC

Employer of the Year

• Joni
• MarineLabs
• Text Groove Communications

The final event takes place April 1st at Carson Hall in the Victoria Conference Centre.