About the Hall of Fame

The BC Innovators Hall of Fame recognizes the key role of innovation to BC’s economy and the leaders that have left a legacy on this province, enriching our technology and innovation ecosystem and building a stronger BC economy.  Presented in partnership with the Government of British Columbia.

In this 30th anniversary year for BC Tech, we are thrilled to establish the Innovators Hall of Fame in partnership with the Government of British Columbia.

About this Award

This award recognizes the key role of innovation to BC’s economy and the leaders that have left a legacy on this province, enriching our technology and innovation ecosystem and building a stronger BC economy. Nominations are invited for new inductees in 2023.

Who Should be Nominated?

Nominees in this category must be:

  • BC Based leaders who have left a positive legacy
  • Champions of innovation, whether in tech or in other sectors

Evaluation Criteria – please complete the following:

1. Background: (100 words)*

Tell us briefly about the nominee, their career and some key accomplishments.

2. Nomination Pitch: (250 words)*

Tell us in your own words why you this individual exemplifies what the BC Innovators Hall of Fame represents.

3. Who else is supporting this nomination?*

Include the names and email addresses for anyone else who is supporting this nomination (max 4).
Note that there is no limit to how many nominations you can make, but each must be made in a separate submission.

Past winners of the Bill Thompson Lifetime Achievement Award and BC Tech Person of the Year Award will be inducted into the BC Innovators Hall of fame in this inaugural year:

  • Greg Aasen
  • Mark Betteridge
  • Jeff Booth
  • Michael Brown
  • Ward Chapin
  • Klaus Deering
  • David Demers
  • Norman Durieux
  • Gordon English
  • Haig Farris
  • Norm Francis
  • Roy Henderson
  • Judi Hess
  • Ryan Holmes
  • Hugh Ray
  • Moe Kermani
  • Paul Lee
  • Julia Levy
  • John MacDonald
  • Gordon MacFarlane
  • Greg Malpass
  • Amos Michelson
  • Jack Newton
  • Greg Peet
  • Shahrzad Rafati
  • Jonathan Rhone
  • Don Rix
  • Warren Roy
  • Laurie Schultz
  • John Seminario
  • Gerri Sinclair
  • Ken Spencer
  • Keith Spencer
  • Jim Spilsbury
  • Morgan Sturdy
  • David Sutcliffe
  • Shafin Tejani
  • James Topham
  • Ralph Turfus
  • Mossadiq Umedaly
  • Alan Winter
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Photo of Shafin Tejani Shafin Tejani

A child of immigrant parents from Uganda escaping military unrest, Shafin Tejani followed the footsteps of his entrepreneurial father and uncle and launched his first business from a university dorm room at 19. Now he has over 40 start-ups in 24 countries under his belt, collectively employing more than 350 people, through his Victory Square venture that focuses on the web, mobile, gaming and film spaces.

Photo of William (Bill) H. Thompson (1922-1986) William (Bill) H. Thompson (1922-1986)

In the 1960s and 70s, Bill Thompson owned the largest electronics parts distribution company in western Canada. He founded Eldevco, a personal holding company investing in early-stage B.C. tech companies and made a point to build relationships with everyone in the then-fledgling industry, including those providing support services behind the scenes. The eponymous lifetime achievement award was established by the BC Electronic Manufacturers Association to recognize individuals who went out of their way to help young companies and entrepreneurs to succeed.

Photo of James Topham James Topham

Serving as an audit partner in KPMG’s Technology Group in the Vancouver office for 20 years earlier in his career, Topham was instrumental in helping join together Software BC and the Electronic Manufacturing Association of BC to form the BC Technology Information Association (now BC Tech) where he sat on the board for nine years. He founded the Vancouver Social Venture Partners philanthropy group, with a high percentage of technology senior executives, which funds and advises community charitable projects and social enterprises.…

Photo of Ralph Turfus Ralph Turfus

The former founder and CEO of Class Software, Ralph Turfus developed successful community service management software used by agencies around the globe. In 2004 California-headquartered ACTIVE Network acquired the company to bolster its own activity and participant management tools. An engineering and MBA grad, he continues to fund technology start-ups on the west coast.