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
1 7 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 Ray Walia Ray Walia

With decades of experience in the entertainment, real estate, and technology sectors, Ray Walia, FCPA, FCMA is a serial entrepreneur, investor and co-founder of Launch Academy, Western Canada’s leading entrepreneurship facility. Ray has invested in over 30+ startups, co-founded TractionConf.io a global network of startup leaders, and received multiple honours and awards, including recognition as one of 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in Vancouver 2021, 2022 & 2023, BIV Top Forty Under 40, G20 Young Entrepreneur, and as BC Tech Person of The Year Finalist 2018.

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Photo of Boris Wertz Boris Wertz

Boris is the founding partner of Version One and one of the top tech early-stage investors in North America. Born in Germany and based in Vancouver, he is a former board partner with Andreessen Horowitz. Before becoming an investor, Boris built an online marketplace for used and out-of-print books in 1999, selling the business to AbeBooks.com where he became COO and led a team of 60 people.…

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Photo of Alan Winter Alan Winter

Alan Winter is B.C.’s first innovation commissioner and has wide experience acting as president and CEO in both the private and public technology sectors including at genomics researcher Genome BC, New Media Innovation Centre in Vancouver and BC Tel (Telus) incubator MPR Teltech. His most recent appointment is adjunct professor at the University of Victoria Gustavson School of Business where he provides career advice and mentoring to students as a guest lecturer.

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