On Wednesday, November 13, the InnovateNB Awards brought together innovative leaders from across the province at the Delta Beauséjour in Moncton. The annual event celebrates the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit that drives New Brunswick’s economic growth in manufacturing, energy, tech, and more.
A highlight of the evening was the induction of three remarkable individuals into the InnovateNB Hall of Fame: Sandy Bird, Chris Newton, and Brian Flood (In Memoriam), co-founders of Q1 Labs. Their induction honors a legacy of innovation, leadership, and community empowerment that has left an unforgettable mark on the province.
The Legacy of Q1 Labs
Q1 Labs began as a local start-up with big dreams and grew to become a recognized leader in security intelligence software. Through their groundbreaking work, the company showcased New Brunswick’s potential to compete and thrive on the global tech stage but also laid the foundation for the province’s focus on cybersecurity. The Q1 Labs exit remains the largest of all time for a New Brunswick company. Beyond their technological achievements, the co-founders of Q1 Labs empowered countless individuals in the local community, inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Tribute to the Founders
The Hall of Fame Award was presented by Bob Justason, Chief Innovation Officer and co-founder of Mariner, who commended the trio’s transformative impact on the province’s innovation ecosystem. Sandy Bird, one of the co-founders, accepted the award on behalf of Chris Newton and Brian Flood. In a heartfelt speech, he reflected on the trio’s journey, starting from their early days at the University of New Brunswick. His words resonated with the entrepreneurs in the audience, emphasizing that their success was built on determination, camaraderie, vision, partners, and unwavering perseverance to turn a dream into reality.
Congratulations to the 2024 InnovateNB Hall of Fame inductees! Your accomplishments prove that world-changing innovation can start here in New Brunswick, supported by an ecosystem that is ready to help others follow in your footsteps.
We invite you to watch a video of our Hall of Fame inductees by clicking the following link.
