These Kootenay entrepreneurs are taking all the risk…
THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS WATCH.
From the safety of your living room, cheer on four Kootenay entrepreneurs as they pitch to a panel of judges featuring local and regional investors, industry professionals, and tech experts.
Our host, Sean Smillie, will be coming to you from the new Nelson Innovation Centre. Tune in to get a taste for new Kootenay tech and support our local entrepreneurs!
Winner takes home $500 in cash, a KAST membership, free entrance into the New Ventures BC 2021 competition and KAST’s Venture Acceleration Program + ALL THE GLORY.
Big thanks to our sponsors: Nelson & District Credit Union, Traction on Demand, Volition Advisors & Selkirk Technology Access Centre!
Watch Event #2 of the Kootenay Pitch Competition
February 4, 2021
Meet the Entrepreneurs!
Dusty Geyer
Continuity Craftworks, Nelson
After working for several years in the manufacturing industry, Dusty Geyer wanted to create and build something that represents and encompasses his passions. He wanted to develop and run a business that could improve the quality of life for others.
Dusty Geyer is now watching his goal become a reality with his new electronic retrieve fishing reel prototype, designed to assist with providing fishing opportunities for people with shoulder, arm or hand disabilities. He hopes to increase accessibility to recreational fishing in British Columbia.
What makes his reel so special? The one-handed operation of the reel allows everyone to enjoy fishing, despite physical limitations. The hybrid design and functionality allow the angler to play with the fish like any other angler and then, when the timing is right - an electric motor and control system assist the angler to land the fish.
Wesley Fakrogha
Stuuli, Castlegar
Being an international student in the UK, China, and Canada, Wesley encountered difficulties finding the information he required as a student from jobs and accommodations to events and connections with other people while studying. He also had a negative experience in the UK after falling for an accommodation spam. But he turned this experience into inspiration for a new business. He created Stuuli, a safe and valuable information hub for students studying abroad.
Stuuli focuses on providing verified listings that benefit students, building a safe community, and adding value through the resources provided to support students studying abroad. Students can simply choose their college/universities and discover verified listings advertised in their location.
Wesley is an Intern Research Assistant at Applied Research and Innovation at Selkirk College. He’s also completing the Post-Graduate Business Management Diploma at Selkirk College, having graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science at Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, in 2017.
Kyle Hamilton
Sucre Interactive Technologies, Fernie
Sucre Interactive Technologies, based in Fernie, B.C., was formed after Kyle and his team lost a friend in a tragic mining accident. Because the Elk Valley is at the heart of Canada’s metallurgical coal mining industry, Sucre Interactive has a detailed understanding of heavy industry and the requirements for hazard identification and competency training in high risk environments.
Sucre Interactive Technologies’ goal is to create a solution that will not only save lives, but also give companies a competitive advantage by delivering a return on training investment, and augmenting on the job skills transfer. Recent studies have shown that training in immersive environments leads to 4x faster acquisition of knowledge, and a 275% improvement in confidence in acting on learnings.
By leveraging this data, and using their combined experience in content creation, software development, corporate training, and mine safety - Kyle and his team help employers create a safer workplace through developing highly customized interactive VR training applications at a lower cost than traditional training.
Prizes
Besides bragging rights, the winner of EACH pitch event will take home:
- $500 in cold hard cash
- A free annual KAST membership
- Three months of free entry into the Venture Acceleration Program ($600 value), which includes 1:1 mentorship from an experienced mentor
- Free entrance into the New Ventures BC Competition in 2021 ($200 value), courtesy of New Venture BC. Note: All winners will be required to apply to the New Ventures BC Competition to be eligible for the Grand Finale prizing.
- Two hours of expert assistance, from a KAST Entrepreneur in Residence, for the application process for the New Ventures BC Competition.
- A three-session Advisory Coaching package with Volition Advisors (valued at $675).
The Grand Finale Winner takes home bragging rights, ALL the glory and…
- $1,000 in cold hard cash
- A free annual KAST membership
- Three months of free entry into the Venture Acceleration Program($600 value) which includes 1:1 mentorship from an experienced mentor
- Travel expenses paid for Pitch Day (up to $750) at the New Ventures BC Competition in 2021 if applicant accepted
Re-watch Event #1 of the Kootenay Pitch Competition
November 12
About the Kootenay Pitch Competition 2020/21
For the first time in Kootenay history, technology entrepreneurs and startups from across the region will go head to head in the first ever virtual Kootenay Pitch Competition, hosted by KAST (Kootenay Association for Science & Technology) and Nelson Innovation Centre, and sponsored by Nelson & District Credit Union , Traction on Demand and Volition. Entrepreneurs will be competing for cold hard cash and amazing prizes. Mentorship, networking, support and incredible exposure are all up for grabs.
The competition is made up of three pitch events (November, January and April) with a Grand Finale pitch event in April as well.
To get more information or to apply for the Kootenay Pitch Competition Event #2…click the button below!
