Innovation Factory’s (iF’s) clients Dolled Up Desserts, Playocracy Inc., QReserve, Engagement Agents and LeafBox Concepts have been selected as finalists for this year’s FirstOntario’s 1Awards competition. Businesses must deliver pitches LiON’s LAIR-style and demonstrate measurable growth, such as workforce expansion, innovation, and community impact. Recognized as local, talented, and hardworking entrepreneurs, Dolled Up Desserts, Playocracy Inc., QReserve, Engagement Agents and LeafBox Concepts make our community unique.
The 1Awards competition provides entrepreneurs and small businesses the chance to win cash and in-kind services to help their business. This year’s winners will share $25,000 cash and $125,000 in-kind services from leading experts in business planning, finance, legal, advertising and marketing. The winners will be announced at the 1Awards breakfast gala on May 16, 2019.
Dolled Up Desserts is a gluten-free and vegan wholesale bakery and baking mix production company from Hamilton. Founded by Katarina Poletto, Dolled Up Desserts innovates delicious sweet treats that focuses on inclusivity and community, as all products cater to people with dietary restrictions, health concerns, and allergies.
Playocracy Inc. is a community partner with national school boards, municipalities, public health agencies, children camps and ECE providers. Through Physical Literacy and Recess programs, family activities, equipment kits and playground stencils, Playocracy Inc. promotes the joy of movement and encourages social skill development with play.
QReserve manages all resource-related matters, including scheduling, maintenance, file storage, and user training, in one, central platform.
Engagement Agents helps retailers maximize and monetize their already-paid-for shopping centers’ digital and physical marketing channels
to drive impressions, traffic and sales while saving money, time and resources.
LeafBox up-cycles used cargo containers into rentable retail and event spaces which are 100% solar powered, portable, and secured.
Innovation Factory is Hamilton’s catalyst for tech innovation. Since 2010, Innovation Factory has been accelerating the success of start-ups, providing business services, training and mentorship to help increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs.
iF is proud to support an celebrate this achievement with Dolled Up Desserts, Playocracy Inc. and QReserve. Good luck to all of this year’s applicants!
