The fourth annual Rhyze Awards were awarded on June 14 at Innovation Guelph with a total of $22,000 in prizes given out! This year’s event, hosted in partnership with the Business Centre Guelph-Wellington, saw 10 female entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to a panel of industry experts. The presentations were as passionate and innovative as the women who lead these amazing companies!

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 care planning
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 part of a night like this.”

A special thank you to our judges: Jim Gardiner, Regional Vice President, Commercial Services, Meridian Credit Union; Jennifer Fletcher, Manager, Administration, Applied Research and Entrepreneurship, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning; and Crystal Ellis, Senior Economic Development Officer, County of Wellington.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s Rhyze Awards!

For more information please see the Press Release.