Congratulations to the 2024 Innovation Challenge Winners!
This year's challenge is looking for businesses who have introduced a new product, process or service over the last couple of years. This product or service has "taken off" and added value and profit to your business. We want to hear how you came up with the new idea and what steps you took to achieve your success.
The 2024 Winners
- 1st Place - $4,000 - Sunflower Café
- The Sunflower Café practices no-till, regenerative farming that sequesters carbon into the soil and improves the quality and vitality of the earth with each passing year. We require no transportation for our produce as all the crops are harvested on-site and hand delivered to the cafe. Any food waste is then collected from the restaurant and used in our compost to return those nutrients back into the soil. The next stage in our business development is to incorporate livestock so that the entire production cycle is contained within one property.
- 2nd Place - $2,000 - Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Inc.
- They are one of the few companies in North America to own two Spool Welding Robots from Novarc and they were the first company in the world to beta test their new NovEye technology. This cutting-edge technology integrates advanced AI algorithms into their welding processes, allowing for unparalleled precision, speed, and quality. The AI software optimizes welding paths, adapts to real-time variables, and ensures consistent weld quality, reducing rework and material waste. By significantly enhancing productivity and safety, this innovation has transformed their fabrication processes, leading to improved project timelines and client satisfaction.
- 3rd Place - $1,000 - MRX Marine
- The Defender line of dock fenders is a relatively simple product but there really isn’t much on the market like it. They utilize (4) different cnc processes within their home- based shop (cnc plasma, 3 axis cnc milling, cnc press brake forming and laser cutting) to produce their premium line of carpeted fenders. They work with another company to provide with a premium stitched marine grade carpeted cover which they can offer to their clients in up to 5 different colours. The design is also more sustainable since the fenders can be rebuilt recycling most of the components whereas a lot of other products are simply disposed of and replaced when they reach their end of life.
Prizes
1st place - $4000 | 2nd place - $2000 | 3rd place- $1000
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting us with prizes and marketing.
Participation Criteria
The 2024 challenge sought businesses that have an innovative new product or service that has been highly successful. The business must be located in Maple Ridge and have a current business license in Maple Ridge.
Contact Karen Hansen khansen@mapleridge.ca for any additional questions or comments.
Previous Winners
2023: First Place $4,000 - Brookfield Farm
2nd Place $2,000 - Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp.
3rd Place $1,000 - T's Once Upon a Tea Leaf
2022: First Place $4,000 - Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems
2nd Place $2,000 - Town & Country Vintage Home
3rd Place $1,000 - Haney Builders Supplies
2021: First Place - $4,000 - Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Kwantlen Senior's Network
2nd Place $2,000 - Big Feast Bistro & Retail
3rd Place $1,000 - The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries
