Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, Honored with Ottawa Defence Innovators in BetaKit’s Boldest 2026 Initiative

On May 25, 2026, Invest Ottawa announced that its President and CEO, Sonya Shorey, received national recognition in BetaKit's "Most Ambitious 2026" publication. This annual feature highlights Canadian innovators who enhance the country's autonomy, security, and prosperity. Shorey was acknowledged in the "Community Builders" category for her significant contributions to supporting Canadian entrepreneurs, particularly through her co-founding of Sheboot, a program designed to help women founders establish scalable technology companies.

Shorey's leadership also played a crucial role in advancing a unified vision for the Ottawa-Gatineau region as a key defense innovation hub. By collaborating with over 300 stakeholders across industries, academia, and government, she led the formation of a regional defense innovation strategy aimed at bolstering Canada's sovereign capabilities and fostering dual-use technologies, which can be applied in both military and civilian contexts. This strategy underscores the growing need for collaborative leadership in enhancing Canada’s innovation landscape and tech development.

The timing of this recognition coincided with Toronto Tech Week, a prominent tech gathering in Canada. The BetaKit report emphasizes the critical intersection of sovereignty and technological leadership, covering various sectors such as defense, advanced research, AgTech, and digital infrastructure. By asserting that "there is no sovereignty without technology," the publication showcased nearly 100 innovators across more than 30 cities, underscoring their roles in enhancing Canada's autonomy and resilience through technological advancements.

Within the publication, several companies involved in defense and dual-use technology were highlighted in the "Defend the Dominion" section. Notable firms included Dominion Dynamics, Tactiql, Telesat, Anvil, H2 Analytics, and Zighra, which exemplify the strength of the Ottawa-Gatineau area and its defense innovation ecosystem. These companies contribute to national security while also addressing civilian needs, illustrating the significance of dual-use technologies for economic stability.

Additionally, the publication recognized Growcer, an Ottawa-based company, in the "Canada’s Food Chain" category for its efforts in reinforcing local food production systems. This acknowledgment reflects the broader, multifaceted nature of innovation and resilience in Canada's economic framework.

Under Shorey's direction, Invest Ottawa has been dedicated to fostering progress in crucial areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, aerospace, autonomous systems, advanced communications, and defense technologies. The ongoing collaboration among founders, researchers, industry leaders, government entities, and post-secondary institutions aims to accelerate innovation and position Canada as a leader in these vital sectors.

In summary, Sonya Shorey's recognition as a community builder showcases her impactful role in enhancing Canada's innovation ecosystem, particularly in defense and technology. The contributions of various leaders and innovators across the country highlight the importance of building a resilient technological infrastructure that supports both sovereignty and economic prosperity. For more information on the defense innovation hub and Canada's technological advancements, please visit Dihub.ca and read the complete BetaKit Most Ambitious 2026 edition at betakit.com.