A NORTHWESTERN B.C. think tank's second annual contest for innovative ideas resulted in concepts involving everything from worms to micro-hydro this year.
Sponsored by the Skeena Nass Centre for Innovation in Resource Economics (SNCIRE) the Northwest Innovation Challenge 2015 featured 12 finalists with winners announced at a May 21 event held at Northwest Community College.
More than $8,000 was distributed to the finalists chosen by judges and, for one category, a winner chosen by public balloting.
Winners displayed their concepts at the event and answered questions from those in attendance.
The winners are....
Mountain Prize $1,500 - Best Innovation
Awarded on strength of innovation, regional relevancy, impact, appeal of proposed display, enthusiasm and potential for commercialization.
Sponsored by Spectra Energy and Pacific Northwest LNG.
Chris Barton from Terrace/Thornhill – Reflectorless Survey Targets
Tree Prize $1,000 – Runner-Up Innovation
Awarded on strength of innovation, regional relevancy, impact, appeal of proposed display, enthusiasm and potential for commercialization.
Sponsored by Spectra Energy and Pacific Northwest LNG.
Alyson Watt and Simone Crook from Terrace/Thornhill – Squeezed
Bio-Product Prize $1,500
Awarded for the most innovative use of a bio-product. Sponsored by Terrace Community Forest.
Wanita Simpson from Terrace/Thornhill – Cardboard Cat Trees
Thrive North Commercialization Prize $1,500
Awarded to the innovation considered to have the best potential for commercialization. Sponsored by BG Canada and Futurpreneur Canada as part of the ThriveNorth Initiative.
Peter Greene and Alfred Schaefer from Smithers – BC Fish App
Northwest Prize $1,000
Awarded for the innovation that best addresses the needs and opportunities of Northern B.C., the innovation that is most clearly "of the North, for the North”. Sponsored by UNBC & SNCIRE.
Tony Walker from Terrace/Thornhill – Shames Mountain Micro-Hydro
People’s Choice $500
Voted on and chosen by anonymous public ballot. Sponsored by Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine.
Adon Wiebe from Terrace/Thornhill – WormWorks Vermicompost
$250 awarded to each finalist
To create a display for the Northwest Innovation Challenge. Sponsored by Lakelse Financial, Barton Construction, Stantec, Bulkley Valley Economic Development Association and BCIC-New Ventures, McElhanney, Silvertip Signs and Promotion, Northwest Community College.
There were also finalists entered from South Hazelton, Telkwa and Gitsequkla.
SNCIRE's goal is to move the regional resource economy away from its traditional boom-bust cycle by developing its resources in long-term enterprises creating value-added commodities.