2023 | Founders Choice Awards Finalists Announced, Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Parry Sound District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec 1st, 2023
Founders Choice Awards Finalists Announced, Celebrating Entrepreneurship in Parry Sound District
The Parry Sound Area Founders Circle, is pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2023 Founders Choice Awards. Cash prizes of $10,000 for first place and $5,000 for second place will be presented to entrepreneurs in the Parry Sound District with the most promising start-up business ideas.
The five finalists, in alphabetical order
- A Bushel & A Peck
- Georgian Medical Aesthetics
- Northern Swine and Steer
- Rewind Design Studio
- Sound Youth Counselling
The finalists were chosen by the Founder from applications that evaluate were evaluated on the following five criteria: Broad Economic Impact; Innovation; Scalability/Growth Potential; Profitability Potential, and Demand for Product/Service.
“We received an overwhelming response and it is exciting to see the business growth and energy in the Parry Sound District” said Nicole Boyd, of Royal LePage Team Advantage Realty, Brokerage, co-chair of the Parry Sound and Area Founder’s Board. Co-chair Peter Istvan, of Peter Istvan Photography said “Entrepreneurism is alive and well in the Parry Sound Area”.
A Bushel & A Peck - Farm and feed store
Georgian Medical Aesthetics - full-service medical spa with offerings that are individualized to each patient's specific needs and desires
Northern Swine and Steer - unique meat, BBQ and smoker shop
Rewind Design Studio - focuses on the history and cottage family stories around the Georgian Bay area and sustainable design practices
Sound Youth Counselling - offers mental health services for youth ages 10+ years old.
The next step for the five finalists is to create an “elevator pitch” video, which describes their business in its entirety, in a short video. To help the finalists prepare, two sessions have been organized with Stand Out Business and Venture Bay Studio, who will provide their insights, knowledge, and expertise.
In March 2024, in a "Dragons' Den" style business presentation, the finalists, enter a high-stakes environment to pitch their business ideas to a panel of Founders. The finalists outline their product or service, emphasizing its unique value proposition, market potential, and financial projections. Facing probing questions, finalists must navigate the scrutiny of the Founders, with the goal of being selected for one of the Founders Awards. Prior to this dynamic experience, finalists will receive some guidance from Patty Hayes, Page by Page.
From the finalists, the two successful recipients of the Parry Sound Area Founders Choice Award winners will be announced on April 11th, 2024 at the Parry Sound Area Founders Award Dinner, to be held at the Log Cabin Inn, Parry Sound. The Awards dinner is open to the public, and will feature a cocktail reception, delicious dinner, a special guest speaker, and live award presentations to the winners.
About Parry Sound Area Founders Circle
The Parry Sound Area Founders Circle are community leaders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who have invested funds as prizes to be awarded to individuals or groups with innovative ideas that will help improve the local economy throughout the Parry Sound District.
In the news:
- Parry Sound North Star: Finalists announced in Parry Sound Founders Choice Awards
- Moose FM: 2023 Founders Choice Awards’ finalists chosen - My Parry Sound Now
Read more about the Parry Sound Area Founders Circle
