THE FINALISTS
Margaret Coons Owner
WHAT: Nuts for Cheese ESTABLISHED: 2015 BASED IN: London nutsforcheese.com
Dairy-free cheeses made from fermented, organic cashews using unique culturing and aging processes. The five main flavours sold at stores from Sarnia to North Bay include chipotle cheddar, coconut cashew brie, Muenster with turmeric and paprika rind, and smoky artichoke and herb. “This is such a passion project for us. We’re so excited to be able to show people the possibilities that are available with vegan food.”
Chris Buttenham Founder and CEO
WHAT: Tasytt ESTABLISHED: 2015 BASED IN: Hamilton tasytt.com
Obie is a chatbot meant to help small and medium-sized companies train and on-board (initiate) employees. The downloadable tool can communicate with users by text message, directing staff to fill out forms, read how-tos or meet their team. “We’re using machine learning and artificial intelligence to add more value than we could have in a web platform … I think the best analogy for people who don’t know about technology is: Siri for business.”
Jake Nicolle Founder
WHAT: 180 Drums ESTABLISHED: 2015 BASED IN: Hamilton 180drums.com
A website platform that offers online drum lessons through videos featuring professionals — including the drummers for Drake, Ariana Grande and Stevie Wonder. Drummers wanting to learn gain access by registering for a membership. “We connect a community of drummers around the world to the world’s most recognizable drummers.”
Daniel Doherty Senior product specialist
WHAT: Nix Sensor Ltd. ESTABLISHED: 2013 BASED IN: Hamilton nixsensor.com
A digital tool that hooks up to smartphones, allowing people to scan colours and gather their exact digital colour data. Some of its uses include interior designers needing the exact colour of a pillow to match paint, or farm quality control to check the colour of egg yolks. “We like to describe Nix as the tape measure for colour … because anyone can use it but it’s also highly accurate.”
Greg DeLaunay CEO and CTO
WHAT: Tron-Club ESTABLISHED: 2015 BASED IN: Hamilton tronclub.com
A monthly subscription service offering circuit-building kits, to help people learn about electronics. Each kit comes with 21 unique circuits to build, and a how-to booklet. The kits start at the beginner level and increase in difficulty. They can be completed in as few as two hours or could be spread out to take the whole month. “I’ve always wanted to empower others with electronics.”
Andrew Martinko CEO and co-founder
WHAT: Suncayr ESTABLISHED: 2014 BASED IN: Kitchener suncayr.ca
People put the SPOT, a smart UV indicator, on their skin and apply sunscreen over top of it. If the sticker is clear or white, the sunscreen is protecting them. It will turn purple when the sunscreen is no longer providing protection. “It’s not always easy to know how well your skin is protected, and that’s what we want to do … we want to help you understand how your skin is protected outside and how you can improve that protection throughout the day.”
Nicole Mortimer Founder
WHAT: Laifa Baby ESTABLISHED: 2015 BASED IN: Oakville laifababy.com
The baby sleepers are designed to make diaper changes easier using a two-zipper system — one running from neck-to-ankle for dressing and the other running along the inseam for diaper access. “It’s really about empowering parents and providing them with super easy, intuitive, simple, quality products. It doesn’t need to be complex or gimmicky or fancy to work well and to do the job properly.”
Theo Versteegh Chief technology officer
WHAT: TopSpin360 ESTABLISHED: 2015 BASED IN: London, Ont. topspin360.com
A modified football helmet with a small weight attached that serves as a method of neck strengthening to help prevent concussions. Responding to specific contractions of the neck, a small weight spins, similar to a hula hoop for the head, forcing the muscles to respond and keep the head stable. The device can be used for pre-season and off-season training. “At this point we’re not looking to get this into Sport Chek or Canadian Tire any time soon. Because it’s a training device, and because it’s dealing with neck strengthening and potentially concussion risk, we want to make sure it’s released properly.”
Ransom Hawley Founder and CEO
WHAT: Caddle ESTABLISHED: 2015 BASED IN: St. Catharines caddle.ca
An app where customers can get paid for engaging with national companies and small and medium-sized businesses by watching their advertisements, answering questionnaires, writing reviews or spending money at their establishment. “We see ourselves as an app that’s going to change the way brands interact and engage with consumers.”
Josh Lombardo-Bottema Founder and CEO
WHAT: GoWrench Auto ESTABLISHED: 2014 BASED IN: Hamilton gowrenchauto.com
A mobile automotive repair company that will send a licensed mechanic to you — whether you’re at home, at work or in a parking lot. Common vehicle repairs include brakes, alternators and starters. “Aside from saving people the time and the hassle, we always say you can often order your car to be fixed in the same time it takes to order a pizza.”