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- Shaun Nanan
Nanan Academy Wins Business Innovation Award at the 24th Annual MJBEX Awards
Nanan STEM Academy Inc. was recognized with the Business Innovation Award at the 24th annual Moose Jaw Business Excellence (MJBEX) Awards, held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Temple Gardens Centre in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. The annual MJBEX Awards, hosted by the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce, brought together businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to celebrate excellence as featured in Discover Moose Jaw news.
Awards were presented across 14 categories, recognizing businesses and organisations that demonstrate innovation and community impact across a wide range of sectors. The categories are the following:
- Agricultural and Agri-Business Excellence Award
- Business Innovation Award
- Business Leader of the Year
- Business of the Year
- Community Involvement Award
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
- “Hell Yeah” Award
- Impact Award (Non-Profit)
- Marketing Award
- New Business Venture Award
- People’s Choice Award
- Pillar of the Community Award
- Service Excellence Award
- Young Entrepreneur Award
The team of Nanan Academy was very excited to received the Business Innovation Award, which recognizes innovation success. The award criteria include clear goals and objectives, innovation in products, processes, technologies, and business achievements. The category also asks nominees to demonstrate how their business has produced real innovation with the potential to change how an industry operates locally.
Nanan Academy is a Saskatchewan-based organisation delivering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs for youth (Grades 3 to 12), post-secondary, and seniors. The academy operates with a skills-based curriculum philosophy that prioritizes real-world application and creativity. Programs are offered through partnerships with community organisations, school divisions, Indigenous communities, and corporations across the region.
Accepting the award on behalf of Nanan Academy were Shaun Nanan, Co-Founder and Academic Director, and Thayne Winder, Instructor and Course Developer.
“This award represents our higher purpose,” said Nanan. “We empower our learners to reach their potential and to create a future that we can be proud of. It starts with education.”
Winder spoke to the experience in the classroom.
“I get to watch students build things they never thought they could,” said Winder. “When students are given the space to experiment, make mistakes, and keep improving, they begin to see what they are truly capable of.”
Receiving the Business Innovation Award marks an important milestone for Nanan Academy and reflects the academy’s mission to deliver innovative, hands-on education that empowers learners of all ages with essential skills for lifelong success.
