A Night of Celebration: Honouring the Innovators Shaping New Brunswick’s Future

Last night in Saint John, we at TechImpact felt the electric energy inside the Trade and Convention Centre. With more than 440 people filling a sold-out room, the 2025 InnovateNB Awards once again proved why this event has become one of the most anticipated gatherings in the province’s innovation ecosystem. Entrepreneurs, researchers, public-sector change-makers, founders, investors, ecosystem partners and community builders came together to celebrate what New Brunswick does best: turning bold ideas into real-world impact. 

Premier Susan Holt kicked off the night sharing messages on the importance of innovation in every sector tackling the problems and challenges that require big thinking and different perspectives to find innovative solutions. Cathy Bennett, Founding and Managing Partner at Sandpiper Ventures, set the tone with a keynote that highlighted the power of investing in people and pushing boundaries. She discussed the importance of innovation in driving the economy and shared insights from her experience as a Minister of Finance, serial entrepreneur, board director, founder, investor. She also emphasized how essential investing is to shape our regional economy.  

We celebrated the induction of Marcel LeBrun into the Hall of Fame. A problem-solver at heart, Marcel is a social entrepreneur and the driving force behind 12 Neighbours, an award-winning tiny-home village in Fredericton that offers permanent housing, entrepreneurial training, and counselling to people experiencing homelessness. Marcel’s work is rooted in empathy coupled with a relentless drive to solve real-world problems.  

"This year’s Hall of Fame inductee, Marcel LeBrun, is a powerful reminder that innovation is not limited to one industry. Marcel’s journey from building a global tech company to creating solutions that address housing and homelessness reflects the very best of New Brunswick leadership. Our province excels when bold ideas meet purpose, and tonight’s winners show the breadth of talent shaping New Brunswick’s future." said Cathy Simpson, CEO of TechImpact. 

The Honourable Sean Fraser shared something everyone in the room already felt, that New Brunswick’s innovation economy is thriving because of the people who drive it forward. "Innovation is about people who turn ideas into impact,” Minister Fraser said. “Tonight’s nominees and winners reflect the creativity, collaboration, and determination that make New Brunswick a leader in the innovation economy. The Government of Canada is proud to support these efforts because when communities innovate, they create important growth opportunities for everyone."  

Ten awards were presented, recognizing innovators making an impact across the province:  

2025 InnovateNB Hall of Fame Inductee  
Marcel LeBrun  

The Beacon Award for Women in Innovation and Leadership  
Dr. Alli Murugesan  

Emerging Innovator Award  
Pascale Michaud  

Innovative Product or Service Award  
MedReddie  

Public Sector Transformation Award  
Centre of Excellence for Digital Innovation  

Startup of the Year Award  
VersosAI  

Scale-up of the Year Award  
Resilia Inc (dba Uresta)  

Inclusivity and Empowerment Award  
Bloom Funding  

Innovation in Academia and Research Award  
Moulay Akhloufi, Université de Moncton  

Impact Innovation Award  
SmartSkin Technologies  

Behind every award, nomination, and success story is a shared commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant province. The InnovateNB Awards exist because of a coalition of partners who believe in that mission: TechImpact, the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, the McKenna Institute at the University of New Brunswick, Propel, and this year’s Host Economic Development Partner, Envision Saint John. 

As the evening wrapped up, one thing was clear to us: New Brunswick’s innovation community is flourishing. The future looks bright, powered by the people, ideas, and collaborations celebrated at this unforgettable event. Here’s to another year of big ideas, bold leadership, and New Brunswick ingenuity.