Bell’s Edge Farm is the winner of the Town of Minto’s 2015 Pitch It! business plan competition.
The town announced the winners of the fourth annual competition at the June 16 Minto council meeting.
Bell’s Edge Farm partners Vince Tkaczuk and Michael Daly are preparing to launch their first custom-designed consumer product: “the Free Ranger” – a mobile combination chicken coop and green roof garden system.
The town initiated the competition in 2012 in an effort to grow small businesses in Minto and increase awareness of the resources available. Now in its four year, the competition is geared towards entrepreneurs that wish to open, purchase, expand, or re-locate an existing business within the Town of Minto.
Five entries were received for the 2015 competition and three finalists submitted full business plans and made presentations to judges in June.
“We received three great business plans from young people just starting their businesses in our community, they all brought great ideas and passion for their businesses which once again made the judging very difficult for our panel of judges,” said Belinda Wick-Graham, business and economic manager.
The three finalists were: Lead Left Productions, Studio Kerry and Bell’s Edge Farm.
“It became very clear each business owner possesses an entrepreneurial drive to make their business a reality. Each had very identifiable strengths that made picking one winner a very difficult task,” said Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise Centre general manager Scott Williams.
“I was impressed with the community spirit displayed, taking creative ideas and utilizing their community networks to reach a broad geographical base. I hope each of these businesses continue to move forward with their vision, and utilize the resources around them to realize their goals.”
In a press release the winners stated, “Bell’s Edge Farm is delighted to be named the 2015 Pitch It! business plan competition winner. We would like to thank the judges, sponsors and organizers for this tremendous opportunity and their encouragement in our new business venture.
“Local is the new organic, and empowering homeowners to become food producers is deeply ingrained in Bell’s Edge Farm’s vision. The 2015 Minto Pitch It! Business Plan Competition’s support of our new product, The Free Ranger, is an investment in the sustainable and growing local food movement.”
Through the support of sponsors, finalists receive over $1,000 worth of prizes and the winner takes home over $12,500 in cash and prizes.
