A video game testing company and a biotech development firm take top prizes.
LONDON, ON - Venture London, the city’s premier business plan competition, announced the winners of more than $45,000 in cash and business-acceleration prizes at its awards presentation last night. The competition, established to encourage entrepreneurialism, recognizes new and proposed London-based businesses that have proven growth potential, marketability, profitability, viability and impact on the London economy.
The winner in the existing business (under two years) category, taking the grand prize of $30,000 in cash and business acceleration prizes, is The Ant Firm a company that provides quality assurance services to the digital media industry. The Ant Firm is owned by Tonya Constant, Melanie Lagrou, and Hayley Patterson.
In the proposed business category, winning the grand prize of $18,000 in cash and prizes, is Entos Pharmaceuticals, founded by Dr. John Lewis and Jeff Skinner. Entos Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology development organization focused on identification and development of breakthrough therapeutics and therapeutic enabling devices. The remaining finalists – Hudson Entry and Automation; Riverpark Dental; New Ninjas and TecVana Corporation – each received $500 honorariums and $500 in furniture and design services from Lovers AtWork Office Furniture.
“We found the Venture London experience to be an extremely worthwhile endeavor as it forced us to look critically at our business plan and zero in on what needed tweaking, “ says Tonya Constant of The Ant Firm
Thirty four complete business plans were submitted to this year's Venture London competition. The 2011 applicants represent a broad range of businesses from fields including gaming, industrial services, financial services, retail operations and medical devices.
Venture London Business Competition
The four-month, two-round Venture London business competition helps entrepreneurs and new businesses in London transform their business idea from a rough concept into a sound business plan. Supported by workshops and shaped by feedback from judges, entrepreneurs are exposed to a business development process that reinforces the notion that a solid business foundation is necessary to commercialize a great idea.
Venture London represents the collective effort of the London Economic Development Corporation, Small Business Centre, The Stiller Centre and TechAlliance. Gold sponsors include, Lovers AtWork, bizzmail, Lashbrook Marketing & Public Relations, and Libro Financial Group.
For more information about Venture London, please visit www.venturelondon.ca
For more information, please contact:
Nancy KoprivaManager, Projects and Business Development ServicesSmall Business Centre519-659-2882 ext. 234nkopriva@sbcentre.ca
About the Winners and Finalists
Planned Business Category
Entos Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology development organization focused on identification and development of breakthrough therapeutics and therapeutic enabling devices. At the core of Entos is the Fusogenix Intracellular Delivery System capable of drastically increasing the intracellular concentration of drugs. The vast potential of the Fusogenix Platform could significantly expand the prospective use of previously developed drugs as well as novel therapeutics.
New Ninjas are dedicated to supporting small businesses by developing, Core Charter, software that interfaces with popular shopping carts to provide simple sales and invoice tracking, customer service information and accounting reconciliation in one easy to use tool. Using Core Charter lets small business owners focus on their core business.
TecVana Corporation, an entrepreneurial marketing firm, is developing a social media networking process designed to leverage Information Communication Technology to reach new markets and collaboratively develop “user-created” recreational outdoor adventures to meet the needs of the modern consumer. TecVana’s Interactive Digital Gateway will be a one-stop site for anyone interested in the outdoors, offering members a retail gateway to new experiences and customized opportunities.
Existing Business Category
The Ant Firm Inc. is a quality assurance company providing critical testing services to creators and publishers of interactive digital media and video games. Their diligent, experienced testers provide fast turnaround, agile performance and detailed, easy-to-read bug reports. Testing by the Ant Firm ensures a smooth and enjoyable gaming or learning experience for the end-user.
www.antfirm.com
Riverpark Dental has built a new form of dental practice, changing the conventional model of dentistry from a clinical and often dreaded experience into a pleasant, relaxing and educational health experience. Patients recline in soft leather chairs, surrounded by the ambience of a tropical rainforest, receiving paraffin wax treatments, while a qualified dental practitioner tends to their oral health. Riverpark plans to dominate the market by focusing on: patient care, transparency and of course great dentistry.
Hudson Entry & Automotive Inc. provides sales, installation and service of reliable and durable full service access control and security solutions in ICC, farm, and residential markets. “Hudson Design”, a newly formed division, was created to assist customers with their technical documentation and drafting requirements. The focus of the Hudson brand is to provide quality products for the right applications to ensure excellent service, becoming a leader in the industry.
