Innovation Guelph (IG) awarded 21 local women-owned businesses with the 2016 Rhyze Award.
All businesses receive a reserved spot in the Rhyze Academy, a new unique nine-month intensive program developed by Innovation Guelph to support and educate women entrepreneurs as they further develop their business skills, financial know-how and integrate work and life.
Two local businesses included:
– Lighthouse Lemonade, of Rockwood, a lemonade concentrate from an old Maritime family recipe; and
– SEED Education Strategies and Solutions, of Elora, special education support for students with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and autism spectrum disorder.
In addition to a reserved Rhyze Academy seat, nine businesses received funding.
“We made significant changes to the Rhyze Award application process this year, which attracted a broad range of women-owned businesses at all stages of development,” said Kristel Manes, Innovation Guelph and The Rhyze Project director.
Finalists were selected from nearly 50 applicants in Guelph and Wellington County vying for cash awards and business coaching and other professional services. Funding for the cash awards was raised through last year’s successful crowd-funding campaign and ongoing sponsorship from Meridian Credit Union. All finalists will be formally recognized at the Rhyze Award Ceremony on Sept. 15, which will be open to the community.
Among other eligibility criteria, applicants were required to identify as female; be 30 years of age or older; have a new or existing enterprise based in Guelph and/or Wellington County; and demonstrate passion and viability of their business idea.
Applications were subject to an intensive review process by multiple impartial volunteer panels from Guelph’s business and academic communities.
