Everpure Biodiesel Co-op made a successful pitch to a panel of Co-op Crocodiles for funding in a Dragon’s Den-style event held during the annual Co-op Conference and Gala on Oct. 20.
Everpure, a two-year-old south-western Ontario co-operative, was one of four finalists to make a business case to a panel of five judges and an audience of more than 100 co-operators.
The co-op will receive $5,000 to support research and development to expand operations into creating biodiesel home heating fuel as well as the transportation fuel it currently develops. The grant was sponsored by Meridian Credit Union, Alterna Savings, Parama Credit Union, Baker Schneider Ruggerio LLP, and On Co-op.
Co-op Crocodiles was one of 14 activities presented during the 10th annual Co-op conference and gala, the professional development and networking conference organized by the Ontario Co-operative Association.
Over 270 people attended the event, which is held during national Co-op Week. For the first time, the conference included a co-op showcase and trade show, featuring displays by 22 organizations.
The conference began with an intensive four-part plenary session, led by Global TV’s Sean Mallen, designed to mobilize the sector in long-term planning. The session included a taped presentation by Ed Mayo, secretary general of Co-ops UK, a live video link with Rachel Griffiths, creator of the UK’s Co-operatives Fortnight project, and small group discussions on policy development and the potential for growth and new opportunities in the coming decade.
As 2012 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Co-operatives, participants began to discuss plans to celebrate.
Silent and live auctions, featuring items donated by Ontario co-operatives, raised more than $8,000 for On Co-op’s Co-operative Young Leaders program.
The event was held at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Burlington.
