Innovation Factory’s 11th Annual LiONS LAIR awards over $45,000 to 3 local startups

LiONS LAIR has concluded its 11th year with over 500 registrations and awards a whopping $45,000 in cash prizes to winners. EmergConnect, a start-up that uses cutting-edge AI and ML to improve patient waits, enhance patient care, increase ER efficiency and save hospitals money, took home the top prize of $30,000.

EmergConnect is redefining the ER experience through a first of it’s kind mobile ‘front door’ for same-day care, allowing patients to register, triage and even wait at home before going to the ER.

“For us at EmergConnect the win at Lions Lair 2021 will no doubt make a big difference in the future growth of our company.” Said Ron Galaev, Founder and CEO of EmergConnect “Lions Lair has been a phenomenal and unique experience from which we have received great value, connections, and amazing feedback.”

Innovation Factory’s LiONS LAIR event showcases the region’s innovative start-up community and gives up-and-coming entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business to a panel of Hamilton’s top business experts and potential investors.

This year’s runner-up was Requity Homes, a tech-enabled real estate platform that helps transition renters into homeowners through a modernized rent-to-own program. The People’s Choice Award, a $2,500 cash prize, went to Dirt Market, a company that is revolutionizing the way earthmovers manage their soil by empowering them with simple, yet powerful digital tools.

For the second year in a row, the LiONS LAIR organizers at Innovation Factory planned and executed an exciting pitch competition in an online bracket-style tournament, featuring head-to-head pitch match-ups. For 9 years prior to the pandemic, LiONS LAIR attracted over 500 guests from Hamilton and the GTA for an in-person, formal gala and business networking event. The LiONS LAIR event is more than a pitch competition event as the cohort of innovators receive training and mentorship to not only prepare for the competition but to help them build viable and successful businesses.

“Every year, we’re impressed by the talent and creativity of the entrepreneurs who compete in the LiONS LAIR. This year’s virtual pitch competition was no different,” said Dave Carter, Executive Director of Innovation Factory. “These are the people who drive innovation and sustain prosperity in our region, Lion’s Lair creates a whole environment that is so conducive to these companies succeeding, putting them through pitch training, the media coverage we get, is all integral to these businesses growing.”