Innovation Challenge Invites Businesses of All Sizes to Compete for $10,000 In Prizes

Maple Ridge, BC – May 9, 2025 – The City’s Economic Development team invites residents and the business community to nominate large, medium, or small Maple Ridge businesses to participate in the annual Innovation Challenge competition, which honours uniquely effective products, processes, and services in our city. 

Now in its fifth year and looking to encourage a diverse range of nominees and winners, the City has increased the prize pool to $10,000 to be split between two categories: 

• Business to Consumer (B2C) category will focus on direct sales-based businesses with innovations like customer experience, product design, accessibility or delivery methods.  
• Business to Business (B2B) category will focus on business-oriented submissions which could include innovations like streamlining systems, improving workflows, or delivering new value in unexpected ways.  

Both categories of this year's challenge will feature a $3500 first place winner and $1500 second place winner sponsored in partnership with Pitt Meadows Plumbing and Ridge Meadows College. 

“Innovation and ingenuity live at the heart of strong, resilient communities, and ours is no exception,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “The $10,000 Innovation Challenge is one of the many ways we support and uplift the entrepreneurial spirit that’s driving positive change in our business community. Good luck to our applicants and their exceptional ideas.” 

Each first-place winner will also receive a valuable business enhancement prize, valued at over $6500 and donated by generous local sponsors including: 

• SuperHR: HR starter package (valued at $2,800) 
• Oakton Financial: One month of financial advisory services (valued at $1,000) 
• Markayting: Strategic marketing plan (valued at $2,800) 
• Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce: One-year membership + $100 Email Blast 

How Can Businesses and Residents Participate? 

Nominations can be made by residents or by businesses themselves through the nomination form at MapleRidge.ca/Innovation. Businesses of all sizes with a valid Maple Ridge commercial, industrial or home-based business license are eligible to be nominated. Businesses that applied in previous years may reapply while previous winners must wait two challenge cycles before entering again. 

Entries will be evaluated based on: 

• Problem or Opportunity Clarity –  well-defined business challenge well-defined 
• Impact – Innovation has improved performance, generated revenue, or delivered value 
• Originality – Innovation is new to the business, industry or marketplace 

Finalists will be notified by Sept. 8 and will participate in a short video interview to showcase their innovation. Videos will be shared with the judging panel, Mayor and Council, and the community. Winners will be announced in late October 2025 at the Maple Ridge Innovates! celebration, part of Small Business Month. Event details to be announced in September. 

Learn more or nominate a business today at MapleRidge.ca/Innovation. 

For additional information, contact Karen Hansen, Business Outreach Specialist. 
at khansen@mapleridge.ca