Innovation Challenge

• Robert Sheridan - Ridge Meadows College
• Steven Robinson - Pitt Meadows Plumbing and Mechanical Systems
• Scott Banack - Meadowridge School
• Teresa Downs - School District 42
• Dominik Roeser - University of British Columbia
• Kate Fitzmaurice - Invest Vancouver
• Sue Mah - Invest Vancouver

Innovation and invention are not the same.

Invention is the creation of something entirely new, while innovation is the practical implementation of an invention or the improvement of an existing idea, product, process, or service.

In other words, invention is the birth of a new idea, while innovation is the application and refinement of that idea to create new value.

Innovation is a process by which a domain, a product, or a service is renewed and brought up to date by applying new processes, introducing new techniques or establishing successful ideas to create new value.

The City of Maple Ridge wants to celebrate the achievements of local businesses and help support them in future endeavours. We created the Innovation Challenge to highlight the innovative businesses and businesspeople  in our city  and build a community of innovation. 

The challenge is looking for businesses who have introduced a new product, process or service to their business or improved on an existing one.  This product, process, or service has “taken off” and added value and profit to your business.  We want to hear how you came up with the innovation, what steps you took to achieve your success, and what difference it’s made to your business.

Yes, you can apply every year.  If you win, you will not be able to apply for the following two challenges

If you won in a previous challenge, you will not be able to apply for the following two challenges.  For example, if you won in 2022, you cannot apply again until 2025.

Yes, you can apply again with the same innovation if you didn’t win.

Yes, you can nominate a business before August 24 and City staff will follow-up with the to request their full application.

Entering the contest is easy. To submit, fill out the application form by August 31, 2026. 

If you are chosen as a finalist, we will send a videographer to your location to record a video explaining your innovation. The video will help the judging panel understand your business and your innovation and will also be used for marketing purposes future challenges. 

You can also nominate a business before August 24, 2026 and City staff will follow-up to request a full application from the business.

Yes - small, medium and large businesses are all welcome to apply as long as the business has a current Maple Ridge Business License.   Innovation can come in many forms.

The 2026 Innovation Challenge has two categories:

New Businesses (Under 5 years)

Established Businesses (5 years and over)

We place businesses in categories based on when they started operating. That means we look at when the business actually began doing business, not just when it was incorporated or publicly announced.

Our prizes rely on local sponsors. 

Cash Prizes: We’re pleased to welcome back Ridge Meadows College as one of our Premiere Sponsors and introduce Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanicals Systems as another Premiere Sponsor. 

New Business sponsored by Ridge Meadows College

1^st place               $3,500 plus one of the additional prizes*

2^nd place              $1,500 plus one of the additional prizes*

Established Business sponsored by Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems

1^st place               $3,500 plus one of the additional prizes*

2^nd place              $1,500 plus one of the additional prizes*

*Additional prizes to be paired with the cash winnings.

• Oakton Financial: One month financial advisory assistance
• Markayting Creative Agency: Strategic Marketing Plan 
• Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce: One Year membership to the Chamber of Commerce and $100 email blast
• Super HR: - Workplace Success Package - Management & Leadership or Workplace Essentials

The 2026 challenge is looking for businesses that have an innovative product or service that has been highly successful.  Eligible businesses must be located in Maple Ridge and have a current Commercial/Industrial or Home-based business license from the City of Maple Ridge.

Businesses holding a Non-Resident business license, or not currently licensed are not eligible to apply.

Judges will be asked to consider the following criteria for scoring:

Identification and Definition of the Problem or Opportunity.  Has the problem/opportunity been described in a clear and convincing manner? 

Innovation Impact:  Does it produce a viable solution to a problem?  Is the process or service greatly improved and/or does it make the company more money?  

Originality - Degree of Innovation:  Is this an original idea?  How innovative and creative is the idea? Is it new to the company or new to the world?  How forward thinking is the concept?

If you are selected as a finalist, you will be notified by email on or before September 4. All other applicants will receive an email indicating that they did not make the final selection process for this year’s challenge.

Finalists will be required to participate in producing a short video about their innovation that will be published on the Innovation Challenge website and City of Maple Ridge social media channels, as well as shared with Mayor and Council and the evaluation panel.

We will send a videographer to your business to conduct a short interview and record video of your innovation and a location of your work.

Winners of the 2026 Innovation Challenge will be announced at the Maple Ridge Innovates! event in late-October. Details about the event will be available in September.

Nominations should be made no later than September 6.  Businesses must complete their final, full application by September 13, 2026.  

We recognize that businesses at different stages of growth often innovate in different ways.

Businesses operating for under 5 years are often building something new from the ground up. Their innovation may come through fresh ideas, new business models, emerging technologies, or new ways of serving customers as they establish themselves in the market.

Businesses operating for over 5 years often innovate from a different position. More established businesses may be improving existing products or services, modernizing operations, adopting new technologies, expanding into new markets, or finding new ways to respond to changing customer and community needs.

Creating two categories helps ensure businesses are considered alongside others at a similar stage of development. It recognizes that innovation can look different in a newer business than it does in a more mature one, and gives both an equal opportunity to be recognized for their achievements.

First Place Business to Business:  Torchrite Solutions 

$3,500 cash and 1/4 page ad in the Maple Ridge News and HR Starter Package from SuperHR

💡$10K Innovation Challenge B2B Finalist - TorchRite Solutions

Second Place Business to Business: Opticrane

 $1,500 cash and one month of financial advisory assistance from Oakton Financial

First Place Business to Consumer: Alouette Growers

$3,500 cash and 1/4 page ad in Maple Ridge News and Strategic Marketing Plan from Markayting Creative Agency

💡$10K Innovation Challenge B2C Finalist - Alouette Growers

Second Place Business to Consumer: Silver Creek Wildlife

$1,500 cash and one-year membership to the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce and a $100 email blast

💡$10K Innovation Challenge B2C Finalist - Silver Creek Wildlife

First Place ($4,000.00): 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.

Second Place ($2,000.00): 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.

Third Place ($1,000.00): 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.

Other Finalist Videos

 First Place ($4,000.00): Brookfield Farm

Second Place ($2,000.00): Hyperstealth Biotechnology Corp.

Third Place ($1,000.00): T's Once Upon a Tea Leaf

First Place ($4,000.00): Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems

Second Place ($2,000.00): Town & Country Vintage Home

Third Place ($1,000.00): Haney Builders Supplies

First Place ($4,000.00): Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Kwantlen Senior's Network

Second Place ($2,000.00): Big Feast Bistro & Retail

Third Place ($1,000.00): The Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries