VICTORIA, BC, April 2, 2026 — The Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council (VIATEC) hosted its annual Awards Gala on Wednesday evening at the Victoria Conference Centre, bringing together more than 500 members of the region's thriving technology community. Under a dazzling Western Neon theme — blending the rugged spirit of the Pacific Northwest with the electric energy of innovation — the event celebrated the companies, leaders, and rising stars shaping Greater Victoria's technology sector.

The 2026 VIATEC Awards recognized outstanding achievement across 14 categories, honouring organizations and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional vision, impact, and community leadership over the past year.

“Victoria’s tech sector continues to outperform expectations, and the VIATEC Awards are a chance to recognize the people and companies driving that progress. What stands out most is not just the growth, but the strength of this community. Leaders here are building globally competitive companies while showing up locally to support each other. That combination is what makes this ecosystem so resilient and so exciting right now.”

— Dan Gunn, CEO, VIATEC

Guests enjoyed a lively show filled with finalist profiles, sponsor interviews, a live band and even line dancing with 500+ guests! The evening was capped off with an illuminating finale with light sticks in hand and dancing with inflatable Orcas, of course.

2026 VIATEC Award Recipients

Company of the Year: Atreides Caseri

Growth Company of the Year: Puzzle Lab

Emerging Company of the Year: WikiSleep

Social Impact Award: Synergy Enterprises

Employer of the Year: MarineLabs

Inclusion Champion: Text Groove Communications

Product of the Year: Eterio Realities (Fab Station)

Innovative Excellence – Software or Service: Archipelago

Innovative Excellence – Hardware: Azor Biotek

Colin Lennox Award for Technology Champion: Tobyn Sowden (Redbrick)

Leader of the Year: Christopher Moreno (MarineLabs)

Janet Baird Award for Community Champion: Dr. Karolina Valente (VoxCell)

Emerging Leader of the Year: Farrah Costo (FLT)

VIATEC Member of the Year: MNP LLP

[Full list of finalists can be viewed here]

The VIATEC Awards celebrate the people, companies, and organizations that drive Greater Victoria's technology sector forward. 

About VIATEC

VIATEC (Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council) is the hub of Greater Victoria's technology industry, supporting the growth of the regional tech sector through programming, advocacy, community building, and connections. With hundreds of member companies representing thousands of employees, VIATEC is committed to making Greater Victoria one of the best places in the world to start, grow, and work in technology.

Web: viatec.ca   |   Social: @VIATEC

Media Contacts

Dan Gunn

CEO

VIATEC

dgunn@viatec.ca

250-882-2820

Tessa Davies

Director, Communications and Events

VIATEC

tessa@viatec.ca