Village Gamer

“Canadian innovators, both young and experienced, have a strong track record in bringing innovative products to the world.  Innovator Idol celebrates the efforts and successes of entrepreneurs and their ideas,” says Bhupinder Randhawa, a partner at Bereskin & Parr LLP and head of the firm’s Electrical & Computer Technology patent practice group.

There are four finalist companies that are competing in 2013 Innovator Idol:

“Innovation is the key to grow economic prosperity and jobs in Peel Region.  Innovator Idol is just one example of how programs delivered by RIC help entrepreneurs develop their business and connect with motivated investors,” says Pam Banks, executive director of the RIC Centre in Mississauga.

“The RIC Centre has been helping tech entrepreneurs fast track their business to market in Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon since 2009,” adds Banks.

RIC Centre provides services to emerging entrepreneurs including:  business mentoring, market intelligence, financing, and networking through three “Entrepreneurs in Residence”. For established companies, RIC Centre provides:  a roundtable innovation exchange; industry-academic collaboration; and peer-to-peer networking. Best of all, the vast majority of RIC Centre services are free.

The “Innovator Idol” competition is the finale event for the RIC Centre’s monthly networking and entrepreneurial training breakfasts for 2013, called “Growing Your Business.”  The competition is a hybrid modeled on American Idol and Dragon’s Den where four companies are invited to present their company pitch to an investor panel for prize package as well as feedback.

The 2013 Innovator Idol competition will be held 7:30am to 11:00am, at the Noel Ryan Auditorium, Mississauga Central Library at 301 Burnhamthorpe Road West, Mississauga. Past “Innovator Idol” winners not only benefited from exposure to funders and valuable prizes, but they have gone on to become significant players in Canadian and international markets.