Innovation Guelph, in partnership with the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington, hosted the fourth annual Rhyze Awards on June 14 for local women-owned businesses, awarding a total of $22,000 in prizes.
Three Wellington County businesses received the accolade.
Prizes were awarded after the ten female entrepreneurs pitched their businesses to a panel of industry experts.
The 2018 Rhyze Award recipients are:
- – Julia Kitras, No Guff Automotive, Guelph’s first night garage – $10,000;
- – Chef Pam Fanjoy, Fan/Joy, the friendly chef of Hillsburgh – $5,000;
- – Caitlin Hall, Reroot Farm in Minto, certified organic produce, pastured meats and raw honey – $4,000; and
- – Annie Guimond, Green Bicycle Farm in Rockwood, non-mechanized micro farm – $3,000.
“We are proud to get behind The Rhyze Awards and help these female entrepreneurs take the next step in their businesses,” said Innovation Guelph executive director Anne Toner Fung.
“We heard from some very innovative businesses tonight, companies that, I believe, are poised to be the success stories of tomorrow.”
In addition to the cash prizes, each award recipient was given a matching line of credit from the title sponsor, Meridian Credit Union and a video business profile by Katie Green of Local Ladies.
All 10 finalists also received a one-year membership to Company of Women, courtesy of the organization’s founder, Anne Day.
The following also participated at The Rhyze Awards pitch event:
- – Mitra Amiri-Jami, Micro-Omega Pro in Guelph, a novel source of fish oil;
- – Dale McRae and Rosemary Smith, Wrist Walk of Guelph, a hands-free device for dogs and dog walkers;
- – Karla Andrews, Andrews In-Home Physiotherapy of Guelph;
- – Donna Grambow, Schmecken BBQ of Guelph, barbecue and catering ;
- – Sheri Copplestone, Confident Careplanners Inc. of Guelph, experts in the key focus areas for care planning; and
- – Joleen Constantis, Volumes of Space in Guelph, professional design services.
“I’ve personally been involved with the Rhyze Awards since we started, four years ago, and I continue to be impressed by the passion and creativity of all of the nominees,” said Business Centre Guelph-Wellington executive director Kristel Manes.
