There is no shortage of new business ideas in the Dryden area.
The first Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre ‘Pitch It’ challenge for entrepreneurs across the region allowed them to present their ideas or proposed business expansion plans.
Jena McCafferty won the grand prize.
She is the owner of Awakened Roots, which produces water kefir soda.
McCafferty says, “Customers are benefiting almost immediately and of course even more benefits as the long-term goes on. We have a strong and solid customer base in Dryden.”
She says the five thousand dollar first prize will allow her to expand production on the water kefir and reach more markets in northwestern Ontario.
Morgan Shepherd of Little Mod Nest and Benjamin Feagin Junior of Agri-Tech North finished in a tie for third with Red Lake’s Jonathan Woolley who runs Giiwedin Knives.
The top five submissions were selected by a panel of four judges.
Cory Jones is the Regional Business Advisor with the Centre and says they were beyond pleased with the response to the call of applications and adds the quality of submissions was incredibly impressive.
More than 30 individuals and businesses submitted their business ideas and proposed expansion.
A total of $8,000 in cash prizes and $2,300 in vouchers of professional business support services were handed out.
To view NWO’s first regional Pitch It event visit: Pitch It Event
