Twelve finalists from around Northwest BC displayed their innovations and competed for thousands of dollars in cash prizes at the Skeena -Nass Centre for Innovation in Resource Economics (SNCIRE) third annual 2016 Northwest Innovation Challenge in Terrace last week.
The winners are:
Thrive North Commercialization Prize $2,500
Hazelton Hops (55north Hopyard Trial) - Laurie Gallant and Bill Crosson of New Hazelton
Awarded to the innovation considered to have the best potential for commercialization. Sponsored by Futurpreneur Canada as part of the ThriveNorth Initiative.
Mountain Prize $1,200 - Best Innovation
Heat Recovery and Control System in a Standalone Biomass Gasification CHP (Combined Heat & Power) System - John Egenolf of Smithers
Awarded on strength of innovation, regional relevancy, impact, appeal of proposed display, enthusiasm and potential for commercialization. Sponsored by Spectra Energy and Prince Rupert LNG.
Tree Prize $800 – Runner-Up Innovation
Quadracycle - Norman Wagner, Jarrod Fregin, Cole Sankey and Ken-Li Peerless of Haida Gwaii
Awarded on strength of innovation, regional relevancy, impact, appeal of proposed display, enthusiasm and potential for commercialization. Sponsored by Spectra Energy and Prince Rupert LNG.
CityWest Regional Relevance Prize $1,000
Skeena Chinampa - Hans Seidemann of Prince Rupert
Awarded for the innovation that best addresses the needs and opportunities of Northern BC. Sponsored by CityWest.
Bio-Product Prize $1,000
Microbial Film Power Generation - Aaliyah Mahboubi of Prince Rupert
Awarded for the most innovative use of a bio-product. Sponsored by Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, SNCIRE and Central Mountain Air/Hawkair.
People’s Choice Award $500
Centre pin float reel - Anika Juergensen of Terrace
Voted on and chosen by anonymous public ballot. Sponsored by Bulkley Valley Development Association (BVEDA).
Door Prize - 20 minute Helicopter Flight
Finalist Jarrod Fregin
Sponsored by Canadian Helicopters.
"Innovations ranged from a battery-operated quadracycle made out of upcycled material to creating power from microbial activity in coastal bogs." says SNCIRE Executive Director Rick Brouwer.
"We were so impressed by the knowledge and effort that each finalist put into their ideas. The ideas and the finalists themselves are truly inspirational,” he said.
The Northwest Innovation Challenge, organized by the regional non-profit SNCIRE, is an annual event that aims to celebrate and support innovation and innovators in Northwest BC.
This year the challenge took place on Friday, May 13 in Terrace.