Sara Kirke Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Sara Kirke Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is presented to the woman who has shown the most outstanding technological innovation and corporate leadership -- leadership that has significantly expanded the frontiers of Canada's advanced technology industry. The purpose of the Award is to celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship and create positive role models for women.

Canadian Women in Technology (CanWIT) is a community network launched by CATA designed to boost women's participation and advancement in the high-growth technology sector.

In judging the nominees for the award, the Selection Committee is looking for women leaders who demonstrated consistent innovation and leadership skills, resulting in the creation and international acceptance of significant world-class products and/or the establishment and development of a major advanced technology company or companies that have withstood the test of time.

Sara Kirke is considered by many to be North America's first entrepreneur. Sara Kirke arrived in Newfoundland in 1638 with her husband David Kirke, who was soon recalled to England. Sara, however, continued to reside in Avalon, and conducted business as usual from the Pool Plantation. Lady Kirke was a remarkable individual as she managed affairs at the Pool Plantation and became one of the most successful merchants on the English Shore -- and was almost certainly North America's first and foremost woman entrepreneur.

Read More on Sara Kirke in this study by Robert W. Sexty, Faculty of Business Administration and Suzanne Sexty, Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Valerie Fox (right), Executive Director of Ryerson University's Digital Media Zone, 2012 winner of the Sara Kirk Award, accompanied by John Reid, CEO CATAAlliance and award sponsor Susan Ibach, Developer Evangelist, Microsoft Canada.

Nomination Criteria

The Sara Kirke Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is presented annually to the woman who has demonstrated consistent innovation and leadership skills, resulting in the creation and international acceptance of significant world-class products and/or services.

The selection is based on a written resume of the nominee's accomplishments and the selection criteria include:

The Call for Nominations for 2013 is now open

Submissions must be received at the Can WIT office by the entry deadline:
April 15, 2013