Hamilton-area businesses go head-to-head in Lions Lair pitch tournament
Three local businesses will share nearly $50,000 in prize money at Hamilton's 11th annual Lions Lair competition.
Sixteen teams of entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to contest judges in a bracket-style, single-elimination tournament.
The contest, presented by Innovation Factory in collaboration with the City of Hamilton's Economic Development Office, will be virtual for a second year, due to the pandemic.
Finalists will duel from noon to 2 p.m., Sept. 23, in a pitch madness" competition for a first-place prize of $30,000 and a second-place prize of $15,000. The team voted people's choice" will take home $2,500.
Registration is open for anyone who wants to watch and vote in the pitch madness" event. Register at lionslair.ca/pitchmadness
2021 Lions Lair finalists
AdMass is a platform to link social media creators with businesses, hoping to build a network of brand advocates" to promote companies through social media.
They intend to give influencers the ability to set their rates, and businesses the option to choose a niche brand ambassador.
Axcessiom is working to develop a driver-assistance system using facial recognition to help drivers with disabilities.
The Oshawa-based company hopes to create a technology that uses facial gestures instead of voice recognition to control vehicle functions, like the turn signal or window wipers.
Blucos is developing a databases and map-based app to give diabetic users data from any listed restaurant.
They intend to give users the ability to evaluate eateries and dishes on the menu, based on the data available, giving app users correct information for administering insulin and empowering them to feel confident in their choices.
Cheftopia hopes to connect chefs with commercial kitchens and customers, with a marketplace app.
Chefs will be able to make and sell food, from their own homes or commercial kitchens, bypassing restaurants and the associated costs, allowing diners to eat gourmet meals for less.
Ecosystem Informatics Inc. has developed a customizable, environmental monitoring platform to help organizations make decisions based on real-time data.
The Mississauga-based company's modular canary" environmental monitoring technology is compact and has both mobile and stationary functionality.
EmergConnect hopes to connect patients to hospital emergency rooms digitally, allowing registration, triage and wait time at home.
They're developing a system using artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance care, increase efficiency and save hospitals money.
eWarrior Naturals offers small-batch, handmade skin-care products .
The Hamilton-based company offers self-care beauty kits for athletics and everyday recovery.
FootyFive is a virtual soccer training application, making instruction from experts accessible anywhere.
The Hamilton-based company connects players of all levels to coaches from anywhere, on any device.
Dirt Technologies offers a digital approach for Ontario's earthmoving companies with soil management software.
The Toronto-based business' digital tools hope to save companies time and money, and bring in jobs.
MoxyPatch is developing a device for women suffering from occasional leaks due to stress urinary incontinence.
They hope to offer a product to prevent leaks that is over the counter and environmentally friendly.
TAMVOES Inc. is a subscription-based online service that allows users to store and manage health information.
The Waterloo-based company allows for personal and family health management, including vital signs tracking, appointment sharing, storing lab results and more.
ToothPod is developing a mouth-cleaning chewable for portable and easy oral health.
The company hopes their tooth-cleaning gum will be useful in scenarios where brushing is impractical.
payd hopes to help Canadians pay off student debt using normal spending habits, starting while still in school.
The company hopes their financial management platform will help save students and former students money by rounding up transactions to save spare change," as well as partnership offers near schools.
Requity Homes offers a rent-to-own program for prospective homebuyers who are not ready for a mortgage.
The Toronto-based company works with partner realtors to buy homes and allows you to save your down payment one month at a time." The prospective homebuyer has the option to buy the home or cash out after two years.
XP Fantasy Inc. is a worldwide fantasy esports platform for fans that do not want to gamble.
The GTA-based company offers skill-based contests for competitive esports. Winners take home real prizes.
Jeremy Kemeny is a Hamilton-based web editor at The Spectator. Reach him via email: jkemeny@thespec.com