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HEXO’s story: ‘Billion Dollar Start-up’ wins national book award

Published on November 18, 2022 by David Wylie

Photo: Twitter/@NBBAward

A cannabis book about the founding and story of HEXO has won the 37th National Business Book Award.

‘Billion Dollar Start-up: The True Story of How a Couple of 29-Year-Olds Turned $35,000 Into a $1,000,000,000 Cannabis Company,’ has been named the winner of this year’s award—which comes with a $30,000 prize.

The book was co-authored by Adam Miron, Sébastien St-Louis, and Julie Beun, and it was published by ECW Press.

The prize was presented to the authors at an award luncheon in Toronto, hosted by longtime CBC National anchor, Peter Mansbridge.

What’s ‘Billion Dollar Start-up’ about?

“Billion Dollar Start-Up, told in diary format, recounts the story of how two brothers-in-law created a billion-dollar, award-winning cannabis company called HEXO. It also documents the history of Canada’s momentous road to legalization complete with government hurdles, intense competition, limited market data, a high burn rate for capital, and general chaos,” says a press release from Freedman & Associates.

“The book also offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view of the myriad of challenges facing an entrepreneurial start-up, which is relevant to all sectors at all times.”

Miles S. Nadal, of Peerage Capital a presenting sponsor, says the book highlights what it takes to beat the odds and achieve success in a fiercely competitive industry. “We are passionate entrepreneurs who partner with other entrepreneurs, providing the resources for them to realize their full potential,” says Nadal.

About the authors of Billion Dollar Start-up

Miron is active in political and media circles across Canada, with at least 20 start-ups under his belt.

St-Louis is one of the longest-serving CEOs in Canada’s expanding cannabis industry.

Julie Beun had a front-row seat to HEXO’s evolution as its publicist, content strategist, and senior writer from 2014 to 2019.

Judges and sponsors

Other 2022 finalists were ‘My Best Mistake: Epic Fails and Silver Linings’ by Terry O’Reilly, and ‘Opening Doors to Diversity in Leadership’ by Bobby Siu.

Along with Mansbridge, the jury includes Wes Hall, The BlackNorth Initiative and Kingsdale Advisors; Deirdre McMurdy, Peerage Capital; Anna Porter, author and publisher; and Senator Pamela Wallin.

Canada’s National Business Book Award is sponsored by Miles S. Nadal, Peerage Realty Partners, The Targeted Strategies Group, Stephen J.R. Smith, Manscorp Media Services, The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, and Canadian Heritage-Patrimoine Canadien.