On February 14th, the EPICentre welcomed its first cohort of EPIC VentureWomen, a program specifically designed with special attention to the identification and elimination of systemic barriers to progress for women in entrepreneurship; especially in emerging technologies.  This initiative is made possible through collaboration with the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation and funding by FedDev Ontario.

Throughout the duration of this cohort, our four EPIC teams (Ground Culture Gardens, Vectorgaze, Xpress Career, and Beaux) worked incredibly hard on their startups – even with the added barrier of working through a pandemic! 

Earlier today, our four teams virtually presented their final pitches to a panel of judges including Dr. Francine Schlosser, Maureen Lucas, and Jason Boissonneault for their opportunity to win the $3000 cash prize generously sponsored by the Lucas Imagine Fund.

We’re thrilled to announce that the grand prize was awarded to Ground Culture! Ground Culture is an edible landscaping and organic vegetable gardening company. They specialize in designing regenerative landscapes that build soil, capture and store water, create wildlife and pollinator habitat, and produce food! We love to teach people how to use the resources they have to grow their own food at home and aim to nourish a connection between people and their environment.

We would like to thank everyone who took part in today’s pitch competition. All of the startups did a phenomenal job virtually presenting to our judges and attendees. Let’s hear it for the first EPIC VentureWomen Cohort!!