Brass Ridge Acres is the winner of The Town of Minto and the LaunchIt Business Exploration Centre’s 12th Annual PitchIt Minto Business Competition.
The PitchIt Minto Business Plan Competition started in 2012 to grow small businesses in Minto and increase awareness of the resources available. The competition has evolved, and this year marked the largest number of finalists – 10 and prizes offered – $28,500 in cash and in-kind.
Brass Ridge Acres is owned and operated by Jessica and Brad Cowan. A small farm located west of Harriston, they grow cut flowers on a small scale during the harvest season, and offer flower bundles for pick-up and delivery.
Demand is outpacing supply, so they applied to PitchIt to help expand their business. The expansion plan includes going from a flower garden to a two-acre flower field.
Director of Economic & Community Development, Belinda Wick-Graham, said fifteen entries were received, and all moved on to submitting full business model canvases and presenting to judges. In the end, 10 businesses moved on as finalists.
PitchIt Minto offers prizing for the winner and all finalists as well as a pool of prizing, which is customized based on the needs of the finalists.
Dr. Shawn McDonald, a previous PitchIt! winner, owner of McDonald Chiropractic, and current Chair of the Minto Chamber of Commerce said, “The 2024 PitchIt competition was one of the best yet. A large contestant pool, a wide variety of skill sets, and business concepts made it exciting for the judges.”
Entrepreneurs can watch for the next annual PitchIt Competition, which launches each spring.
For more details, contact Wick-Graham at belinda@town.minto.on.ca or 519-338-2511 ext. 241.
Brass Ridge Acres winners of 12th Annual PitchIt Minto Business Competition
