01
Business AchievementStartup of the Year
An early stage business, roughly under three years old, showing real traction and a clear runway to grow.
Criteria & entrySix categories. Two signature honours.
Six industry and achievement categories, one signature storytelling award, and the flagship honour that closes the evening. The panel places nominees where they are strongest, but a well chosen category makes for a stronger entry.
One nominee, one category.
A nominee may be submitted for more than one category, but will generally be placed in the single best fit category by the judging panel so the nominee pool is not diluted. Final category placement rests with IWEC and the panel.
Awards at a glance
A quick reference to every award.
| # | Award | Tier | What it represents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Startup of the Year | Business Achievement | An early stage business, roughly under three years old, showing real traction and a clear runway to grow. |
| 02 | Women in STEM & Technology Award | Industry & Innovation | Founders building in technology, AI, engineering, science, fintech, cybersecurity or health tech. |
| 03 | Sustainable Business & Social Impact Award | Industry & Innovation | A commercially viable business built around meaningful environmental or social impact, where the impact and the business model are the same thing. |
| 04 | Hospitality, Food & Tourism Entrepreneur Award | Industry & Innovation | Restaurants, catering, food brands, hotels, travel and tourism businesses, the industries where culture becomes commerce. |
| 05 | Health, Wellness, Beauty & Aesthetics Entrepreneur Award | Industry & Innovation | Healthcare practices, wellness and fitness businesses, salons, skincare brands and medical aesthetics clinics. |
| 06 | Professional Services & Business Excellence Award | Industry & Innovation | Consulting, finance, legal, HR, real estate, education, manufacturing and other B2B or professional service firms. |
| 07 | Global Roots, Canadian Success Award | Signature Award | The storytelling award: the immigrant journey behind the business built in Canada. |
| 08 | IWEC Immigrant Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 | Flagship Honour | The evening's top honour, chosen from finalists across all categories as the closing award of the night. |
In detail
Choose the category that fits her best.
02
Industry & InnovationWomen in STEM & Technology Award
Founders building in technology, AI, engineering, science, fintech, cybersecurity or health tech.
Criteria & entry
03
Industry & InnovationSustainable Business & Social Impact Award
A commercially viable business built around meaningful environmental or social impact, where the impact and the business model are the same thing.
Criteria & entry
04
Industry & InnovationHospitality, Food & Tourism Entrepreneur Award
Restaurants, catering, food brands, hotels, travel and tourism businesses, the industries where culture becomes commerce.
Criteria & entry
05
Industry & InnovationHealth, Wellness, Beauty & Aesthetics Entrepreneur Award
Healthcare practices, wellness and fitness businesses, salons, skincare brands and medical aesthetics clinics.
Criteria & entry
06
Industry & InnovationProfessional Services & Business Excellence Award
Consulting, finance, legal, HR, real estate, education, manufacturing and other B2B or professional service firms.
Criteria & entry
07
Signature AwardGlobal Roots, Canadian Success Award
The storytelling award: the immigrant journey behind the business built in Canada.
Criteria & entry
08
Flagship HonourIWEC Immigrant Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2026
The evening's top honour, chosen from finalists across all categories as the closing award of the night.
Criteria & entry10 September 2026 to 10 October 2026
Nominations Open
Someone you know has built something remarkable and has never once been asked to tell the story. Take fifteen minutes and put her forward.
