Maple Ridge, B.C. - October 20, 2026 – The City is celebrating local ingenuity and entrepreneurship, awarding four outstanding businesses through the 2026 Maple Ridge Innovation Challenge.
The winners will share more than $17,000 in cash and in-kind services.
This year’s competition recognized businesses in two categories: those operating for less than five years and those established for five years or more. The new format celebrates both emerging entrepreneurs bringing fresh ideas to market and established organizations finding innovative ways to grow, adapt, or make a difference in the community.
The 2026 Innovation Challenge winners are:
Businesses Operating for Under Five Years
First Place – Lifestyle Farms: $3,500
Runner-Up – Novisense Tech: $1,500
Businesses Operating for Over Five Years
First Place – Friends in Need Food Bank: $3,500
Runner-Up – Innovative Parts and Solutions: $1,500
Together, the four recipients demonstrate the wide range of innovation happening across Maple Ridge, from emerging businesses and technology-driven solutions to established organizations creating new approaches to serving their customers and community. Other finalists included K&K Custom Creations, Aquastar Therapies, Sticky Spanish School, and Scholesa, which also showcased forward-thinking solutions.
“Congratulations to all four winners of the 2026 Innovation Challenge,” said Karen Hansen, Business Outreach Specialist with the City of Maple Ridge’s Economic Development team. “Innovation takes many forms, and this year’s recipients show just how much talent, creativity, and determination exists in Maple Ridge. We’re proud to recognize their achievements and support their continued success.”
The City is grateful to the category award sponsors Ridge Meadows College and Pitt Meadows Plumbing, whose generosity and contributions help celebrate local entrepreneurship and innovation.
All winners will also receive valuable business enhancement prizes worth thousands donated by our incredible in-kind local sponsors including: SuperHR, Oakton Financial, Markayting, Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce, and MHWP Law.
Supporting a Growing Innovation Ecosystem
Now in its sixth year, the Maple Ridge Innovation Challenge shines a spotlight on the innovative work happening throughout the local business community. The competition encourages businesses and organizations of all sizes and sectors to showcase new products, services, processes, and approaches that improve efficiency, address challenges, or create opportunities for growth.
This competition is accompanied by complementary initiatives like the Catalyst Innovation Network which connects innovators and entrepreneurs across the Lower Mainland to share insights and drive economic diversification. Registration is open for its free, upcoming insights and networking event, Capital, Connections, and Credibility: A Founder’s Guide to Angel Investment, which takes place November 19, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Patch Brewery.
About the Maple Ridge Innovation Challenge
The Maple Ridge Innovation Challenge is an annual initiative that recognizes and celebrates creativity, ingenuity, and forward-thinking solutions across the local business community. Open to businesses from a wide range of industries, the challenge highlights the people and ideas driving economic growth, strengthening community connections, and helping position Maple Ridge as a place where innovation can flourish.
Know a business doing something outside the box? Look for details on next year’s challenge in Summer 2027 at MapleRidge.ca/Innovation.
For additional information, contact:
Pardeep Purewal
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Media@MapleRidge.ca