A digital marketing company and a manufacturer of self-cleaning polymers take top prizes at business competition
LONDON, ON – Venture London, the city’s premier business competition, announced the winners of more than $50,000 in cash and business acceleration prizes at its awards celebration on April 3, at the Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn. Now in its fifth year, the competition was created to support and encourage new London-based businesses that have proven growth potential, marketability, profitability, viability and impact on the London economy.
The winner in the Existing Business Category (under three years), taking the grand prize of $25,000 in cash and business acceleration prizes, is ATMOS Marketing. ATMOS Marketing is a digital marketing agency that specializes in increasing sales, lead generation and online brand awareness for their customers. ATMOS is owned by Larry Lau and Corey Dubeau.
In the Start-up Business Category, winning the grand prize of $15,000 in cash and prizes is SunWash Technologies Inc. owned by Patrick Therrien and Dan Jenken. Using proprietary technology, SunWash imposes self-cleaning properties into everyday plastic materials. The remaining finalists – Ez Creeper Company, Forked River Brewing Company, Classic Mail Management and Universitybrand – each received $500 honorariums, a $500 gift certificate from Lovers AtWork Office Furniture and a video web commercial from In2Communications.
The four-month, two-round Venture London business competition helps entrepreneurs and new businesses in London develop their business ideas into sound business plans. Supported by workshops and shaped by feedback from the founding partners, entrepreneurs are exposed to a business development process that reinforces the notion that a solid
“The competition celebrates London’s entrepreneurial culture and recognizes the important role that independent businesses play in our economy”, says Nancy Kopriva, Venture London Steering Committee Chair. “Congratulations to this year’s finalists and winners, they’re certainly assets to the local business community”.
Venture London was founded in 2008 by The London Economic Development Corporation, The Small Business Centre, Western Research Park and TechAlliance. 2013 Gold sponsors include, Lovers AtWork, Libro Financial Group, In2Communications and Lashbrook Marketing & Public Relations.
For more information about Venture London, please visit - www.venturelondon.ca
For additional information, please contact 2103 Venture London Chair:
Nancy Kopriva
Director, Communications and Engagement
Small Business Centre
519-659-2882 ext. 234
nkopriva@sbcentre.ca
About the 2013 Venture London Winners and Finalists:
Start Up Business Category:
WINNER 2013 - SunWash Technologies Inc.:SunWash Technologies Inc. is a world leader in photo catalytic self-cleaning polymers. Through their proprietary technology, SunWash imposes self-cleaning properties into everyday plastic materials. “Self-cleaning” refers to the materials’ ability to degrade organic or biological matter that comes into contact with the surface when exposed to light. These self-cleaning materials, products and services enable industries to reduce the cost of chemicals, energy and human resources associated with cleaning surfaces. SunWash Technologies works to provide simple, rapid and cost-effective material solutions that enable customers and partners to deliver high quality products, service and enhance efficiency. Through the use of SunWash coatings, cleaning is as easy as turning on a light.
The EZ Creeper Company:The EZ Creeper Company has designed the world’s first creeper specially intended for the aviation industry. The EZ Creeper is a hand powered hydraulic creeper that aviation mechanics and technicians love to work on – in fact some even eat their lunch on it. Repetitive stress injuries to neck, back and knees are a thing of the past. Companies appreciate reduced absenteeism and an increase in productivity by a minimum of 10% over conventional use of automobile creepers and gardener’s knee pads.
Forked River Brewing Company:Coming soon to a refrigerator near you: malt, hops, yeast and water! That’s right, all natural beer brewed for you by your own microbrewery. In only a few short months, three local award winning home brewers will be bringing you hand-crafted, small batch artisan ales. With all natural, unfiltered, unpasteurized products, using only the finest quality ingredients, Forked River Brewing Company is dedicated to delivering consistent flavourful brews. Quality, not quantity is their first priority.
Existing Business Category:
WINNER 2013 - ATMOS Marketing: ATMOS Marketing is a digital marketing agency that specializes in increasing sales, lead generation and online brand awareness for their customers. The core services at ATMOS include strategy, design and digital marketing. Using various channels such as search engines and social networks they help companies drive target traffic to their web platforms. The goal at ATMOS is to generate new business for their clients while maintaining a healthy return on investment.
Classic Mail Management: Classic Mail offers data and letter shop services to small and medium sized businesses in the London area. They provide experienced help with direct mail campaigns, offering a full range of services from data cleansing, ink jetting, and lasering letters to folding, inserting and preparing Canada Post mailing forms. Classic Mail offers Canada Post products such as Addressed Admail, Unaddressed Admail, Lettermail and Parcel products, all of which are prepared to Canada Post standards. Classic Mail not only saves their clients’ money and time, they also provide peace of mind in knowing their important mailings are handled professionally and on time.
Universitybrand: Universitybrand offers a synergy of moving services such as full scale residential and commercial moves, mini moves for apartments and students, green alternatives in moving supplies and junk removal. Their clients can work with just one company who provides all the complementary services they need to make their move complete. From the initial client call through to the completion of the job, customer service is top priority for Universitybrand and they always strive to exceed their customers’ expectations.
