Levven and Goodwill win business awards

Levven and Goodwill Industries of Alberta brought home trophies from the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, held on Sept. 23 in Leduc. The Alberta Chambers of Commerce recognized nine companies during the event, with Goodwill winning for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Goodwill is a North American social enterprise that supports people with disabilities in finding employment. The local chapter won ACC's marketing award last year.

Goodwill will reopen its outlet store on Sept. 26 after moving to 11407 170 Street NW. Maybe after picking up some light fixtures, you want some locally developed smart-home tech to operate them? Cue Levven, which won the ACC award for innovation. James Keirstead bought the company 15 years ago and has seen it receive many accolades, including an ASTech Award in 2023. He shared more of that story at a Tech Thursday event on Sept. 17.

Part of the company's specialty is app-controlled, wire-free electrical switches that promise to save money and energy. Levven upgraded said app this year, and shared that while most feedback was "fantastic," thoughtful conversations took place with users who experienced growing pains. "Changing how a house gets wired takes time, and it only works because our team kept at it and our builder partners and electricians backed the results," Keirstead wrote following the ACC award, accepted by operations director Nathan Smith. "I am proud of the work our team has done bringing this technology to the industry." Levven is currently hiring a firmware engineer.