An initiative of Newcomers Success Network Canada
The IWEC Business Excellence Awards recognise immigrant women who built real businesses in Canada, judged by an independent panel against published criteria, with no fee at any stage.
No entry fee · Nominations close 10 October 2026
Immigrant women start businesses in this country at a remarkable rate, and they do it with qualifications that did not transfer, banks that would not lend without Canadian credit history, and a professional network that had to be rebuilt from nothing. They do it anyway.
These awards exist to put that on the record, in public, judged by people with no stake in the outcome.
A serious, publicly judged award is a third party saying in writing that the business is real and the person running it is exceptional. That changes the arithmetic in a lender's office, in a procurement shortlist and in a room full of people deciding who to take seriously.
No nomination fee, no finalist fee, no charge to accept an award. Cost is a barrier and barriers are the thing this programme exists to remove.
Partners receive naming, visibility and stage presence. They receive no vote, no sight of the shortlist before it is public and no advance notice of results.
A nominee may be submitted for more than one category. The panel places her where she is strongest, and tells her if it moves her.
An early stage business, roughly under three years old, showing real traction and a clear runway to grow.
Founders building in technology, AI, engineering, science, fintech, cybersecurity or health tech.
A commercially viable business built around meaningful environmental or social impact, where the impact and the business model are the same thing.
Restaurants, catering, food brands, hotels, travel and tourism businesses, the industries where culture becomes commerce.
Healthcare practices, wellness and fitness businesses, salons, skincare brands and medical aesthetics clinics.
Consulting, finance, legal, HR, real estate, education, manufacturing and other business to business service firms.
Friday, 20 November 2026 at Brampton City Hall Conservatory. Cheese, canapes and a selection of wines, a ceremony that names every finalist properly, and a room capped at 150 so the introductions are worth making.
This is not a public event and nothing is sold. Places are allocated by the awards team to finalists, nominees, partners, the community and accredited media. Registration closes on 13 November.
Cheese, canapes and a selection of wines, with generous non alcoholic options.
Welcome, then the first category awards with filmed introductions to each finalist.
Fifteen minutes from an immigrant woman founder who has built something at scale.
The signature storytelling award, with its filmed journey piece.
Announced last. The recipient is not told in advance.
Music, photographs, and the part of the evening where the business gets done.
Everything is scored after the deadline, so entering early wins nothing. It only removes the risk of forgetting.
The form goes live across all six entry categories and the Global Roots award.
11:59 PM Eastern. Nominees are contacted to confirm participation.
11:59 PM Eastern. New deadline on popular demand. After this, the form finally closes. No new entries.
Eligibility verified, nominator details removed, category placement confirmed.
The community vote opens on screened nominees.
Three finalists per category, notified privately then announced publicly.
Reception from 6:00 PM, ceremony from 6:30 PM, close at 9:00 PM.
If you are not sure she qualifies, put her forward anyway. The commonest reason a remarkable founder is never nominated is that somebody assumed she would not.
The nominee self identifies as a first generation immigrant woman and is a Canadian resident at the time of nomination.
She holds a founder, co founder or majority ownership role in the business nominated.
The business is currently operating and based in Canada. Sole traders and partnerships count.
There is no cost to nominate, to be shortlisted or to accept an award.
They carry exactly the same weight. Nominator details are removed before judges see the entry.
About fifteen minutes. Six short sections. Approximate figures are fine.
Sponsorship of the inaugural IWEC Awards places your organisation in front of the founders, funders and community leaders in the room, and on the record as backing immigrant women in business before it was a headline.
Naming rights on the evening or on one of the awards, with your executive presenting the trophy on stage.
See packagesFor non profits, chambers, incubators and settlement agencies, with reciprocal promotion and complimentary places.
Talk to usPhotography, floristry, printing, AV, hair and makeup, gifting and beverage partners are all needed and credited.
Offer supportNo. There is no nomination fee, no finalist fee and no charge to accept an award.
Yes, and many people do. Self nominations carry exactly the same weight, because the nominator's details are removed before judges see the entry.
About fifteen minutes if you have her numbers to hand. Six short sections, and approximate figures are fine.
Anyone who self identifies as a first generation immigrant woman, whether she arrived in Canada as an adult or as a minor, and who is resident in Canada at the time of nomination.
No. Any attempt to influence an outcome ends the partnership and the fee is returned.
No. Nothing is sold. Places are allocated by the awards team to finalists, nominees, partners, the community and accredited media.
Newcomers Success Network Canada helps people build a life here: settlement, employment, housing, language, legal advice and the community that makes all of it work. The IWEC Business Excellence Awards are the part of that work that says out loud what newcomers build once they arrive.
More about NSN
Immigrant Women Entrepreneurs Canada is the NSN community platform for women in business: mentorship, webinars, resources and a network of founders who have already solved the problem you are facing. It delivers the awards programme on behalf of NSN.
Visit IWECAnd has never once been asked to tell the story. Take fifteen minutes and put her forward.