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Lion’s Lair 2016 open for applications

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Innovation Factory (@itbeginswithIF) is back with Lion’s Lair in 2016 – check out their application opening announcement below!

We’re excited to announce that applications for the sixth annual LiON’S LAIR competition will officially be open from March 21 – April 29, 2016!

For those less familiar with the competition, LiONʼS LAIR brings together the entrepreneurial community in Hamilton, giving 10 companies the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of our city’s top business experts – the “Lions” – for a chance to win over $100,000 in cash and in-kind resources. The first LiON’S LAIR took place in 2011 and has grown significantly – in application volume, gala attendees, prizing and buzz – year after year.

Last years’ winners – Sniper Skin, ExVivo Labs and Blue Orchid – each took home a portion of the over $160,000 in prizes, awarded by the “Lions”: Cheri Chevalier (Microsoft), Tonia Jahshan (Steeped Tea), Michael Macaluso (CARSTAR), George McCarter (Pearson Dunn Insurance) and Mario Paron (KPMG).

April Wright of the 2015 grand prize winning team, Sniper Skin, says LiON’S LAIR was a transformative experience for her venture: “LiON’S LAIR was a fantastic experience for a startup company like ours. The networking and extensive training was invaluable, and we’re now working with amazing local companies that are helping us take Sniper Skin to the next level.”

Entrepreneurs and innovators interested in submitting an application for consideration this year are invited to register for a workshop on March 29 from 6-9 p.m. We’ll cover the entire LiON’S LAIR process, from submission through selection, to finalist training, filming, and the gala at Carmen’s. We’ll outline how to present an application that meets the criteria of the competition, making your submission as strong as possible, and you’ll hear from some past participants about their experience with the competition.

Capacity is limited, so be sure to register for the workshop early. We look forward to all of the 2016 LiON’S LAIR applications!