The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Innovation Factory help get Hamilton businesses off the ground
Hamilton, ON (June 13, 2013) – The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce and Innovation Factory have announced the 10 finalists for the 2013 LiON’S LAIR competition. LiON’S LAIR will provide these companies with the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of top Hamilton business experts to solicit over $100,000 in cash and professional resources.
Companies submitted their business plans in April, and after careful evaluation by a panel of independent judges the 10 finalists are: OverAir Proximity Technologies, Schopf Innovation, Prevori Flow Control, Roux, Lusso Living Products Inc., Pain-QuILT, Walkbug, GolfScoring.net, Trend Trunk, and RZR Skate Blades.
“We’ve had some outstanding finalists over the past two years, and this years’ finalists continue to represent the high calibre of businesses and startups we have in Hamilton,” stated Ron Neumann, Executive Director of Innovation Factory. “We have seen entrepreneurial spirit grow across Hamilton, and this competition allows us to train some of the best innovators and entrepreneurs in this area, and present them to the Hamilton community.”
The 10 finalists will partake in training sessions over the summer to help them prepare their pitch to the Lions, and hoping to secure a share in over $100,000 in cash and resources, which includes accounting services from KPMG, legal services from Gowlings, branding services from kitestring creative branding studio, and more.
This years’ Lions are: Carmela Trombetta (RBC), Paul Lee-Chin (Manulife Securities), Mike Morreale (CFL Players' Association), Mark Chamberlain (Trivaris Ltd), and Blair McKeil (McKeil Marine). Each finalist will have 30 minutes with the Lions, who will determine the businesses needs, commercial viability, and potential impact on the Hamilton community, before determining who will receive funding.
Video shorts of each pitch will be presented at the LiON'S LAIR gala held at Carmen’s on October 10, 2013. During this event, the winners will be announced live onstage. Tickets to this event will be available shortly at www.pitch-it.ca . The site also features up-to-date information on the finalists and their progression throughout the summer, LiON’S LAIR gala information, media information and other interactive elements.
About Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, as the voice of ethical enterprise, is committed to making the City of Hamilton and all of its communities a great place to live, work, play, visit and invest by promoting private sector jobs and prosperity growth of individuals, organizations and businesses. hamiltonchamber.ca
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is the Regional Innovation Centre for Hamilton in the Ontario Network of Excellence, leveraging funding and support from all three levels of government and the city’s top private sector and institutional partners. Our goal is to stimulate economic activity in this city by helping Hamilton businesses embrace the principals of innovation.
Media Contact
Emily Kinread, Marketing & Communications Manager, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 905.667.2611
Keanin Loomis, President & CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 905.522.1151x229
