Help celebrate innovation in Barrie!
There are two ways to get involved in this year's Mayor's Innovation Awards. Nominate a business, individual, or community group for the 2026 Mayor's Innovation Awards or submit a trophy design concept as a local artist or digital graphic designer.
The Mayor’s Innovation Awards discover stories of strength, creativity, and adaptation across Barrie. These awards recognize businesses, individuals, and organizations whose innovative approaches and sheer determination contribute to a resilient foundation for our city. The winners are announced at a private awards ceremony.
Five award categories have returned for 2026, including Pivot Point, Creative Collaboration, Youth Innovator, Research & Innovation Contribution, and crowd favourite, Shift Disturber. The Municipal Innovation category, which debuted in 2023, showcases the City of Barrie’s commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public service; this category has a separate nomination/submission process.
Nominations & Evaluation
Do you know a business, individual or community group that has shown strength, creativity, adaptation or innovation this past year? Nominate them for the 2026 Mayor’s Innovation Awards by November 18, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Nominations are evaluated by independent panels of judges from across the region and the province.
Pivot Point
Recognizing a company or organization that has discovered and pursued opportunity to grow in unexpected directions when faced with market or operational challenges. A need to purposefully take action with risk was addressed and implemented. They have assessed, adapted and evolved with key changes to their business model or processes that show promising results. Actions may include new revenue sources, new uses for products, evolving to service new needs and more.
Creative Collaboration
Recognizing two or more companies or organizations that have forged an alliance and reached new heights or achievements that they couldn't have reached alone. Contributions may be across sectors, industries, geographies or verticals. Milestones may span the development of new products, services, supply chains, operations and beyond!
Research & Innovation Contribution
Recognizing industry and academic researchers, as well as entrepreneurs, whose innovative activities have had high impact on their individual business or sector, engaging knowledge users throughout the process.
Youth Innovator
Showcasing youths’ creations and demonstrating the incredible learning that comes through entrepreneurship. This award encourages youth entrepreneurs of all types – from students working on capstone projects to those working on their own non-profit, for-profit or social enterprise – to develop their ideas, products/ services, or even improvements for an existing product or procedure. A monetary award will be assigned for the winner to put towards their venture. To be eligible, nominees must be under the age of 25 at the time of applying and either a full-time student or returning to school full-time in the next academic year.
Shift Disturber
Recognizing an individual who has championed innovation in their organization or community. Where others see opposition, they see opportunity. This individual is a powerhouse of creative problem solving, shaking up norms and spearheading strategic solutions in the midst of uncertainty.
Municipal Innovation
Sponsored by Invest Barrie
Recognizes the individuals, teams, and departments at the City of Barrie for their commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in public service. Public nominations are not accepted for this category; projects are brought forward through a separate submission process.
Award Trophies
Call for Artists: Design the 8th Annual Mayor's Innovation Awards Trophy
Local artists and graphic designers working in the digital field are invited to submit a concept for the trophy for the 8th annual Mayor’s Innovation Awards.
Each year, a new local artist or designer is selected to create a unique trophy that celebrates innovation while showcasing Barrie’s creative talent. The selected design will be brought to life through a collaborative partnership with Georgian College’s Makerspace, which will fabricate the final trophies using digital fabrication technologies. The 2025 trophy was designed by Neil Smith.
Artists will be responsible for developing the digital trophy design within the provided specifications, while Georgian College’s Makerspace will transform the finalized design into a physical award. Design submissions are due by 5pm on October 20, 2026.
View the submission guidelines and technical specifications.
Collaborating Partners
The Mayor's Innovation Awards is a massive community initiative that encompasses collaboration and bold new ways of moving forward in an ever-changing climate.
