Third Annual Kingston Newcomer Entrepreneur Awards
Kingston, Ontario – April 29, 2025 – The third annual Kingston Newcomer Entrepreneur Awards were presented on April 28, 2025, during Kingston Economic Development Corporation’s Annual General Meeting, with remarks from Dr. Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO at Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), celebrating the remarkable achievements and contributions of Kingston’s newcomers to the business community.
The awards, a partnership between Kingston Economic Development and Kingston Immigration Partnership, recognize exceptional entrepreneurs in three categories: Community Builder, Start-up of the Year, and Inspirational Entrepreneur.
This year’s Newcomer Entrepreneurs Awards recipients were selected by an external adjudication panel composed of former award winners, based on their business innovation, community impact, and entrepreneurial journey.
“These awards highlight the valuable contributions newcomer entrepreneurs make to Kingston’s economy,” said Norman Musengimana, Business Development Manager, Start-ups & Entrepreneurship at Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “The winners exemplify how a diversity of perspectives and global experiences strengthens our local business ecosystem by creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.”
The Community Builder Award was presented to Patrick Egbunonu, President and Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer at Informanos Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Inc. Originally from Nigeria, Egbunonu previously served as Manager of Group Underwriting at Empire Life Insurance Company and Acting Dean of Business and Community Services at St. Lawrence College. He now leads Informanos Analytics & Artificial Intelligence, developing AI-driven feedback platforms that help leaders and organizations make better decisions and improve productivity.
The Start-up of the Year Award recognized the groundbreaking work of Vietnamese entrepreneurs Anh Tran Ly, CEO & Co-founder, and Tu Nguyen, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at CO2L Tech. The co-founders, who previously worked as researchers at ETH Zurich and specialized in electrochemical CO₂ reduction, are developing innovative technology to transform CO₂ into valuable industrial chemicals, making carbon reduction both possible and profitable.
The Inspirational Entrepreneur Award was received by Phuong MacNeil, owner of Handy Fairies Cleaning Services. Originally from Vietnam, MacNeil transitioned from her previous roles as a Software Test Engineer at Pricedex Inc. and Telecom Test Engineer at Nortel Networks to establish Handy Fairies, which provides comprehensive residential and commercial cleaning services aimed at creating less stressful environments.
“The Newcomer Entrepreneur Awards celebrate not only business success but also the courage and resilience it takes to build a new life and venture in a new country,” said Yu Jier Kou, Program Coordinator at Kingston Immigration Partnership. “These entrepreneurs bring valuable skills, create jobs, and contribute significantly to our local economy while enhancing Kingston’s cultural vibrancy and global connections.”
The awards program reflects Kingston Economic Development and Kingston Immigration Partnership’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive business environment where newcomers can thrive and contribute to the city’s economic prosperity.
To learn more about this year’s award recipients and the supports available to newcomer entrepreneurs, visit www.investkingston.ca/newcomer
Media Contacts:
Daniel Solorio
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
