Mitch Wilson Receives Prestigious Difizen Award at Annual Innovation Showcase
On May 1, 2025, the Innovation Factory, recognized as the innovation hub for the region, held its annual open house event known as the Big DiF in Hamilton, Ontario. This year, over 200 entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and members of the tech community from Brant, Halton, Norfolk, and Hamilton congregated for an evening dedicated to connection, recognition, and celebration of innovation.
The Big DiF commemorated 15 years of fostering innovation, having supported over 3,500 companies with more than 48,000 hours of expert consultations. During this period, these entrepreneurs have secured over $1.2 billion in investments, generated upwards of $730 million in revenue, and created more than 7,000 jobs in the region.
A standout moment of the event was the presentation of the prestigious Difizen Award, which honors individuals who have significantly impacted the innovation community. This year, the award was presented to Mitch Wilson, the Chief Operating Officer of Mariner Endosurgery and Managing Director of Peony Investments VMW Ltd. Wilson has been instrumental in nurturing the region's start-up ecosystem. As a former participant in both Innovation Factory's LiONS LAIR and the Synapse Life Science Pitch Competition, he actively supports the entrepreneurial community through mentorship, sharing valuable insights from his extensive experience, and investing in emerging start-ups.
David Carter, CEO of Innovation Factory, acknowledged Wilson's contributions, stating, “The success of our community is built upon strong collaboration, dedicated mentorship, and a shared vision for the future. The Difizen Award proudly recognizes exceptional individuals who go above and beyond, and Mitch Wilson exemplifies that commitment.”
Expressing his gratitude, Wilson remarked, “It’s rewarding to witness the remarkable growth and potential within our region’s innovation ecosystem, and I’m deeply honored to play a part in supporting these bright and driven founders.”
Attendees of the event experienced firsthand the innovative advancements shaping the future of the region, with 15 companies showcasing their technologies and solutions from various sectors. The companies on display included Capita, Consoul, Entangled Vision, Flightpath, Harvest Systems, iMatr Canada Inc., Kinwood, Maman Biomedical, Mave & Chez, Power of Play, Resso.ai, STITCH Surgical Models, Tomi, Tression, and Vessl Prosthetics.
Carter reflected on the significance of this year's event, stating, “This year’s Big DiF not only marked a celebration of 15 years of driving innovation for Innovation Factory, but also showcased the strength of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are excited about the significant momentum we’ve built and the opportunities ahead as we continue to foster an impactful innovation ecosystem.”
For further information about Innovation Factory and its upcoming initiatives, interested parties are encouraged to visit their website at innovationfactory.ca.
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator that has been the catalyst for technology innovation since 2010, serving the Brant, Halton, Hamilton, and Norfolk regions. It offers a variety of business services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections designed to enhance market adoption, leverage intellectual property, and boost revenue, investment, and job creation. Resources available to innovators include sector-specific tools like exclusive smart transportation test environments and a formal life science and health innovation ecosystem.
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