Meet Canada’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year^® 2025 Award winners

“Can innovative ideas make for safer workplaces?”

A purpose-driven corporate mission inspired Eric Naaman to acquire Damotech in 2010. As commercial photographer with no industry background, no third-party private capital backing and no fallback plan, Eric and a friend of his went all in on a warehouse rack safety component manufacturer and embarked on an entrepreneurial journey to unlock its full potential. 

Assuming full ownership in 2017, Eric invested his personal savings into the business. An amount exceeding the company’s annual revenue at the time was invested into a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified facility. This milestone decision signaled a new era for Damotech. Eric transitioned the business from a component manufacturer into a tech-enabled safety platform. In an industry first mindset, he integrated engineering services and proprietary software along with strategic partnerships in order to grow Damotech into North America’s leader in warehouse rack safety.  

Specialized in innovative repair, protection and inspection solutions, Damotech now serves hundreds of Fortune 500 clients, including Amazon, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s. Collaborative, engaged and community-minded, Damotech’s recent $10 million automation upgrade tripled production capacity for repairs without expanding the plant’s environmental footprint. 

Employing safer racking systems to prevent warehouse accidents and protect lives, Eric has proven that purpose-driven growth can also be exponential.

Eastern: Eric Namaan – Damotech Inc.

Is critical infrastructure supporting businesses effectively in the digital age?

This industry gap moved Charles L’Ecuyer to found a leading manufacturer of next-generation data centre systems. As AI, blockchain and high-performance computing became table stakes for North American enterprises, Charles pioneered a new frontier for how we power progress.

What began as “Chuck’s Electrical Services” — a local contracting firm — has evolved into a cross-border technology powerhouse. Under his leadership, CES developed and launched Intelliflex: a modular data centre solution. Building facilities, assembling expert teams and bringing cutting-edge products to market: Charles is pushing boundaries by delivering modular, purpose-built solutions that integrate power, cooling and enclosures. These centres are specifically tailored to modern computing requirements.

With sustainability as a guiding standard, Charles’ low-waste manufacturing practices generate energy-efficient systems that reduce emissions. Creating hundreds of jobs across Canada and the United States, his organization works with communities, local governments and industry leaders to align business goals with broader economic and environmental ambitions.

These innovative solutions make it possible for businesses to deploy scalable, high-tech computing environments at unprecedented speed. That means companies can make the very most of tomorrow’s technology — now.

Prairies: Charles L’Ecuyer - CES Corporation

Why not build a better, more sustainable way to house workers?

That question unleashed Brian Grange’s entrepreneurial spirit. He grew up working the family fishing lodge in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. There, he saw opportunity among the workers building liquified natural gas (LNG) projects along the Pacific coastline.

Brian’s vision? Transform cruise ships near or at end-of-life into premium, self-sustaining accommodations for remote industrial projects. He imagined floating cities offering hotel-grade food and recreation conceived with sustainability in mind. His sustainable, net-zero vessels would float in and float out - eliminating the need to clear cut forests, move materials over difficult terrain, construct roads or disrupt First Nations communities.

Starting from scratch, Brian wrote 200 proposals before signing his first contract (a multi-million-dollar initiative), which would forever change workers’ lives, and the environmental footprint coastal construction leaves behind. Bridgemans offers unique, innovative solutions and works collaboratively to create career opportunities for Indigenous peoples.

Scaling internationally Bridgemans now has over 17 global locations across six continents and three, fast-growing business units: Bridgemans Floatels (sources, refits and manages floatels), Marine Services (owns and charters purpose-built charters to service floatels and other client needs) and Marine Construction (turn-key, design-build provider for on-water construction projects).

Brian remains laser focused on sustainable growth and making a positive impact in communities around the world.

Pacific: Brian Grange – Bridgemans Services Group