HAMILTON, ON – July 10, 2025 – Innovation Factory announced today, the top 10 finalists for its LiONS LAIR Pitch Competition and Gala, marking the 15th anniversary of this prestigious regional start-up showcase. The finalists will compete live on September 25, 2025, before more than 350 attendees at the Oakville Banquet & Conference Centre.
This year’s finalists are Atorvia Health Technologies Inc., Beck’s Broth, CoLab Education, Jitto, J-SAS Inc., Kinwood, Kiwi Charge, Quthero, Rayyan Therapeutics Inc., and Resso.ai. Selected from 40 applicants through a rigorous process, the finalists represent innovative solutions spanning sectors such as: cleantech, edtech, medtech, life sciences, SaaS, food & beverage, and digital commemorative services. Each earned their place in the competition by successfully completing Innovation Factory’s intensive Founders Fast Track program and impressing angel and venture capital investors during speed-pitching evaluations.
Before taking the stage, finalists will participate in a series of training workshops with key advisors to refine their business strategies and perfect their pitches. At the gala, they will face a panel of expert judges known as the ‘LiONS,’ who will determine winners of cash prizes. Since 2011, the competition has supported 165 high-potential companies and innovators, and awarded over $1 million in cash and prizes, helping to accelerate their commercialization and market readiness.
David Carter, CEO of Innovation Factory, stated, “As we celebrate this incredible 15 year milestone, LiONS LAIR’s legacy of growth and collaboration continues with this year’s exceptional cohort of finalists. These innovators represent the entrepreneurial spirit poised to shape the future of their industries. We look forward to a memorable gala showcasing the next generation of game-changing Ontario businesses.”
The LiONS LAIR gala brings together a community of innovators, entrepreneurs, business experts and industry leaders who directly impact innovation in the region. The evening features cocktail networking, dinner service, live pitch presentations, awards ceremony, and post-gala networking, creating an environment where meaningful business connections and partnerships can flourish.
Over its 15-year tenure, LiONS LAIR has evolved significantly, growing from a foundational initiative into a pivotal force for regional innovation. Initially focused on building a strong entrepreneurial community, the program expanded its reach across diverse sectors, becoming a key catalyst for start-up visibility and funding. Today, LiONS LAIR focuses on strategic partnerships and collective efforts to propel homegrown companies onto the global stage.
Tickets are available for this landmark event until September 4, 2025. Interested attendees can secure their spot by purchasing tickets online.
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory is a not-for-profit business accelerator, serving as the catalyst for technology innovation in the Brant, Halton, Hamilton and Norfolk regions since 2010. Innovation Factory provides business services, training, mentorship, and strategic connections to drive market adoption, leverage intellectual property, and increase revenues, investment, and jobs. Innovators can also access sector-specific resources including exclusive smart transportation test environments and data; and a formal life science and health innovation ecosystem.
