2021

This year's event took place virtually on Wednesday, October 20th. Scroll down for the winners and recording!

Congratulations to our TOP TWO contestants moving onto the final Pitch-Off!

The TOP FIVE businesses moving onto the next round are:

BOW + BEAR CO.

Findlay's Fungus

Twin Equipment and Tool Rentals

UrbanFix Technologies Inc.

Who Offers What

Keynote Speaker: Graham Sherman | Tool Shed Brewing Company

Graham Sherman and his business partner, Jeff Orr, are two “high level geeks” who met in Afghanistan in 2007. At that time they were working on contracts for the Canadian and US government and military, installing encrypted, tactical communication networks.

By day, they rolled around the war zone in armoured vehicles, geeking out in the world of satellite communications. By night, they aimed their obsessive, high level geekery at mastering coffee, competitive BBQ, controlling their respective homes back in Calgary with their iPhones….and finally, with mastering the craft of brewing artisan beer.

Now, only four years after the very first batched brewed in Graham’s backyard, Tool Shed Brewing Company has a new 15,000 square foot home in Calgary with beers being sold in over 1000 locations across Western Canada, and has been nominated as Canadian Entrepreneur of the year. The team were also named as co-winners of the “40 Under 40” recognition from Avenue magazine.

Graham and Jeff’s meteoric rise in the beer industry is due to a level of authentic, infectious passion rarely witnessed in any industry combined with an incredibly unique approach to the social media world we live in.

The moment you hear their story you understand that simply drinking a Tool Shed beer represents an appreciation of the grassroots struggle of quitting your job and going after your dreams AT ALL COSTS!

And the winner is...

UrbanFix Technologies Inc.! UrbanFix is a tech startup in Sault Ste. Marie, owned by Steeson Mathew. UrbanFix is a Web/Mobile based marketplace for local service providers and helps customers hire trusted professionals for all of their service needs. Their free cloud based CRM Software offers more effective business management and cost savings to service providers. The UrbanFix team comprises of young, passionate people working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of people by catering to their service needs at their doorsteps. They provide Snow Removal, Housekeeping Services, Salon at Home, and Car Wash to name a few. The UrbanFix app is a sure shot destination for all of your service needs and is expanding into more cities in Ontario soon.

We would also like to congratulate John Findlay of Findlay's Fungus on delivering an amazing pitch and winning this year's runner-up prize. Findlay’s Fungus is a small scale commercial specialty mushroom farm in Sault Ste. Marie. At Findlay's Findlay's, the focus is on providing the highest quality gourmet and medicinal mushroom products, and most recently, oyster mushroom jerky. Mushrooms can play a role in preventing cancer, diabetes management, heart health, the immune system and weight management. Most people accustomed to Canadian cuisine have likely tried some kind of mushroom but don’t know much about the growing process, health benefits or how to cook with them. Local fungus grower John Findlay, however, dedicated his life to the craft. Findlay has always wanted to be a part of helping the local community and it took him a while to find a niche that Sault Ste. Marie was lacking and he resonated with, but mushrooms are a perfect fit!

Virtual event recording here: Introductions and Pitch Competition, Winner Announcement Password for all clips: hMw6eqY%