Communitech awards $100,000 to startups founded by women
Posted Feb 27, 2020 09:06:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A company that has developed a shower that reduces both water and energy consumption was the big winner at Communitech's annual Fierce Founders Bootcamp Pitch Competition.
Alisha McFetridge of Toronto-based RainStick Shower was awarded $75,000 after taking top place in the competition.
RainStick says it's shower saves 80 per cent of water and uses 80 per cent less energy, but still feels like a high-pressure shower.
Rachel Bartholomew of Waterloo's Hylvy Health was awarded second place and $25,000.
Her startup produces sexual rehabilitation devices for women with pelvic health diseases and cancers to help them achieve comfortable, safe and informed sexual experiences.
The two-part bootcamp hosted women founders with early-stage startups at Communitech over six dates in January and February.
Other founders who pitched at the competition included:
- Aislinn Shoveller, Overture Donor, Kitchener
- Ashley Kielbratowski, Harbr, Halifax, N.S.
- Atefeh Zarabadi, AIImSense Inc., Waterloo
- Catherine Chan, FitIn, Toronto
- Christine Simone, Caribou, Toronto
- Danielle Rose, SquidBio, Kitchener
- Eyra Abraham, Lisnen Inc., Toronto
- Julie LeJeune, Wish & Give, Toronto
- Jun Yang, TRUSTiiN, Waterloo
- Kate Dickson, Primped, Toronto
- Katherine Bowen, Friends at our Table Inc., Elmira
- Rosa Hoffmann, Medscures, Kitchener
