Springboard members, clients among nominees for InnovateNB awards
From the Springboard Content Lab
Congratulations to Springboard Network members and clients who are among the nominees for the InnovateNB Awards which recognize the people, and organizations driving innovation, growth and impact across New Brunswick.
This year’s celebration features nine award categories, plus the induction of Marcel LeBrun into the InnovateNB Hall of Fame — honouring his leadership, philanthropy, and long-standing commitment to innovation in our province.
This year’s event will be held on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre, bringing together leaders from business, government, and the innovation community for an inspiring evening of recognition and celebration.
Nominees include founders, researchers, tech companies and community leaders
More than 70 nominees represent every corner of New Brunswick’s innovation ecosystem — from emerging founders and groundbreaking researchers to tech companies, educators, and community leaders empowering the next generation.
Keynote speaker at this year’s Awards event is Cathy Bennett, Founding and Managing Partner at Sandpiper Ventures. A seasoned entrepreneur, former CEO, and respected business leader from Newfoundland and Labrador, Cathy brings more than 30 years of experience leading and growing companies across construction, manufacturing, HR, food service, industrial supply, and real estate.
In her keynote, Cathy will discuss the importance of innovation to drive the economy. She will share insights on what she has learned as a founder, investor, and board member and how important investing is to shape our regional economy.
Marcel LeBrun inducted into InnovateNB Hall of Fame
From boardrooms to building sites, Marcel LeBrun has spent decades turning bold ideas into lasting change.
For over three decades Marcel has challenged convention and helped guide bold ideas into successful enterprises. For his leadership across sectors and communities, Marcel is the 2025 inductee into the InnovateNB Hall of Fame.
He was the co-founder and CEO of iMagicTV, a pioneering start-up and one of the first in the world to successfully commercialize IPTV technology. In 2006, he teamed up with technologist Chris Newton and fellow NBTel alumni Chris Ramsey to co-found Radian6.
In three short years, Radian6 would become the dominant social media analytics company in the world, counting as clients half of the Fortune 500, including Dell, GE and Proctor & Gamble, which utilized the Radian6 platform in 2010 to catapult Old Spice into the middle of the social media zeitgeist by showing how brands could engage in-real-time with fans.
Salesforce acquired Radian6 the following yar for nearly $350M, making it one of the largest tech exits in Atlantic Canadian history.
Following his success with Radian6, Marcel became a mentor and champion for emerging entrepreneurs across the region. Through his involvement with Propel ICT and other innovation hubs, Marcel has helped dozens of founders navigate the challenges of building and scaling startups. He’s known for investing time, resources, and belief in people with bold ideas. Many of today’s Atlantic Canadian tech leaders trace their roots to the culture of innovation and generosity Marcel helped cultivate.