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Local entrepreneur Ryan Holmes and high-definition surveillance technology company Avigilon Corporation received top honours as Person of the Year and Company of the Year respectively at the 2012 Technology Impact Awards (TIAs) hosted by the BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA).

Holmes is a widely-respected thought leader who has redefined how people use social media – bringing Twitter, Facebook and other social networks out of the dorm room and into the boardroom. His company, Hootsuite Media is used by 79 of the world’s Fortune 100 companies to manage their social media, and is projected to grow to 6 million users by the end of 2012.

Founded by President and CEO Alexander Fernandes, Avigilon is one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Canada and is recognized for its continued product and market leadership in high-definition video surveillance systems. Founded in 2003, the company has over 180 employees globally and in 2011 had a successful IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

“With their companies, Ryan Holmes and Alexander Fernandes exemplify the kind of world-leading talent that we are creating here in BC,” stated BCTIA President and CEO Bill Tam.

“Both Holmes and Fernandes are serial entrepreneurs who are building products and organizations that are widely regarded as best-in-class. Both of these individuals and their companies serve as great models for other entrepreneurs in BC’s technology community,” Tam added.

Other 2012 Technology Impact Award winners include:

Adoption of Technology: Webtech Wireless and Troyer Ventures

Safer Drivers and More Efficient Trucking in Northeast BC – Fort St. John-based oilfield supplier Troyer Ventures and Burnaby-based Webtech Wireless were recognized for deployment of Webtech’s telematics and in-cab communications solution across Troyers fleet of over 100 heavy trucks in Northeastern BC and Alberta. The Webtech solution has allowed Troyer to double revenues without adding administrative staff.

Community Engagement: ParetoLogic

Developing Stronger Ties to each other and their Community – A Victoria-based provider of security and utility software for the home PC user, ParetoLogic has donated thousands of dollars, hundreds of pounds of food, liters of blood, and many hours of time and care to community events and charities in the greater Victoria region. ParetoLogic claims that through these activities, the company has developed stronger ties to one another and to the community. Individuals are able to effect real change in their community, which has an ongoing and remarkable effect within the company and outside it.

Emerging Company of the Year: Tasktop Technologies

Redefining Software Development – The creators of the open source Eclipse Mylyn project, Tasktop Technologies is a global leader in Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) Automation solutions.

An innovator and a leader, Tasktop is often recognized for its role in changing software development globally. Using Tasktop’s task-focused interfaces, developers have been proven to be more productive . On pace to triple their corporate revenue and grow their employee base by 67 percent in 2012; and have grown an impressive list of partners including CA, HP and IBM.

Excellence in Product Innovation: Recon Instruments

Heads-up Display for Sports Enthusiasts – With its MOD Live product, Recon Instruments has created a new product category for sports enthusiasts, beginning with skiers and snowboarders. A modular optics and sensor system, the Recon product snap-fits into Recon Ready goggles from leading brands. The MOD Live’s HUD utilizes advanced mirror and prism technology to augment images and simulate a 15-inch screen as seen from 6 feet.

Most Promising Pre-Commercial Technology: Lungpacer Medical Inc.

Helping Ventilator-Dependent Patients Breathe – The most expensive hospital in-patients are intensive care unit (ICU) patients who have become ventilator-dependent. To combat the weaning issues of critically ill patients, Lungpacer Medical developed the Lungpacer IntraVenous Electrode (LIVE) lead that deploys near the phrenic nerves that control the diaphragm. For the health care industry, savings from the Lungpacer system can be tremendous; recovering the capital cost of one Control Unit in just 5 patient-days of saved ICU time.

Most Promising Start-up: Kashoo

Online Accounting Software for SME’s – Kashoo is designed as the first online accounting software aimed to help small businesses organize and manage their finances. Sold as a monthly subscription, the system includes iPad and iPhone apps, the ability to share the account with an accountant or business partner/advisor, multi-currency support, and more for just $9.99 per month. Over the last 18 months, the Kashoo community has grown to over 30,000 signups and over 5,000 paying customers.

Team of the Year: CounterPath

Changing the Way the World Communicates – While 2011 was a fruitful and busy year for CounterPath, the team that delivered the CounterPath-enabled Rogers One Number service was particularly busy. Comprised of a cross-functional team from its Vancouver and Victoria offices that included 17 development and QA engineers, and 5 sales and marketing team members, over 12 months the team worked closely with several other industry players including HP, Ericsson, BroadSoft and Converse to integrate their technologies for Rogers.

Celebrating British Columbia’s top technologies, companies and individuals were nearly 800 people from BC’s technology and business community. The award gala was held at the state-of-art Vancouver Convention Centre West Building.

“Tonight’s winners and finalists reaffirm the diversity of BC’s technology sector, delivering cross-cutting innovations that touch all sectors of the economy,” said Bill Tam, President and CEO of BCTIA. “We congratulate all winners and finalists for their ingenuity, adaptability and particularly their resilience in a challenging economic climate – they help to put the spotlight on BC by making their mark on the world.”