NEWS RELEASE
INNOVATION GUELPH
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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. Prizes were awarded after the ten female entrepreneurs pitched their businesses to a panel of industry experts.
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 - $5,000
- Caitlin Hall, Reroot Farm, certified organic produce, pastured meats, raw honey - $4,000
- Annie Guimond, Green Bicycle Farm, 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 Anne Toner Fung, executive director of Innovation Guelph. “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 our 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 presenters/companies participated at The Rhyze Awards pitch event:
- Mitra Amiri-Jami, Mirco-Omega Pro, a novel source of fish oil
- Dale McRae and Rosemary Smith, Wrist Walk, a hands-free device for dogs and dog walkers
- Chef Pam Fanjoy, Fan/Joy, the friendly chef
- Karla Andrews, Andrews In- Home Physiotherapy
- Donna Grambow, Schmecken BBQ, barbecue and catering
- Caitlin Hall, Reroot Farm, certified organic produce, pastured meats, raw honey
- Sheri Copplestone, Confident Careplanners Inc., experts in the key focus areas for Careplanning
- Annie Guimond, Green Bicycle Farm, non-mechanized micro farm
- Joleen Constantis, Volumes of Space, professional design services
- Julia Kitras, No Guff Automotive, Guelph’s first night garage
“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 Kristel Manes, executive director of the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington. “The Rhyze Award is a wonderful way to help grow women-owned businesses in this area and we’re thrilled to be a part of night like this.”
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