This year’s finalists for the Founders Choice Awards have been revealed.
Dent Bay Bakery Co, Fibre Mill, Lyndsey Stevenato Children’s Therapy Services, Muskoka Charcuterie, and Sound Youth Counselling are vying for the $10,000-grand prize and $5,000-second prize.
The competition is run by the Parry Sound Area Founders Circle, a group of community leaders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The Founders invest funds as prizes to be awarded to individuals or groups with innovative ideas that will help improve the local economy throughout the District of Parry Sound.
The finalists, chosen by the Founders from a large group of applications, were evaluated on Broad Economic Impact, Innovation, Scalability and Growth Potential, Profitability Potential, and Demand for Products or Services.
Nicole Boyd, of Royal LePage Team Advantage Realty, Brokerage and co-chair of the Parry Sound and Area Founder’s Board said it was difficult to select the finalists because of the high quality of all the great business ideas submitted.
According to a release by the Founders Circle, the five finalists will now have to create a short “elevator pitch” video, describing their business in its entirety. The videos will then be presented to a group of Parry Sound Area Founders, in October, followed by a presentation of their business, questions and answers, and a discussion.
The two successful finalists will then be announced on November 10th at the IMPACT Gala, held at the JW Marriott The Rosseau resort in Minnet and hosted by Parry Sound Muskoka Community Network.
Officials say the red carpet dinner gala is open to the public and will feature a cocktails reception, a multi-course meal, video vignettes of all contest finalists, and live award presentations to the winners.