15 finalists announced for 6th annual LiON’S LAIR competition

Fifteen companies have been selected as finalists for the 2016 LiON’S LAIR competition, which offers entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their idea to a panel of industry judges—the “Lions”—and solicit over $100,000 in cash and in-kind resources.

Hopeful participants submitted their business plans in late April. Throughout May, each plan was evaluated during two separate rounds of judging, based on each company’s product, commercial viability, ability to execute, and other factors. This year’s top fifteen finalists are: 180 Drums, Bruha, Caddle, Doppelmove, Dymaxia, GoWrench, HiNT, Laifa Baby, Nix Color Sensor, Nuts for Cheese, Suncayr, Tasytt, TopSpin360, Tron Club, and UpWeeGo. You can read all about them here!

Over the summer, finalists will go through valuable training to strengthen their skills in pitching, developing and telling a compelling story, handling questions and objections, and presenting their business to the media as preparation for facing the Lions in August.

After one more round of eliminations in July, ten finalists will participate in a pitch session with the Lions, which will include the entrepreneur’s pitch followed by a question period. The Lions ultimately decide which companies receive cash and in-kind service investments from participating sponsors.

The pitch sessions will be filmed by Cable 14 and will be shown at the LiON’S LAIR Gala on September 29, 2016 at Carmen’s Banquet Centre. The Lions’ investment decisions will be revealed live on stage at the Gala.

The 2016 Lions are: Mario Paron (KPMG), Tonia Jahshan (Steeped Tea), Julie Ellis (Mabel’s Labels), Cheri Chevalier (Microsoft Canada), and Michael Macaluso (CARSTAR North America) –  read the Lions’ full bios here.

LiONʼS LAIR gala tickets will be on sale starting July 18 at lionslair.ca!