Innovation PEI will invest $200,000 through the Ignition program in eight local businesses, many of which are just beginning their operations, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allen Roach.

“Entrepreneurship is strong on Prince Edward Island and to support our potential entrepreneurs, we created the Ignition program to help them when they need it most, in the early stages of business development,” said Minister Roach. “Startup is a period when financial resources are crucial and financing can be hard to secure. Ignition gives successful applicants some added security during this critical time. To grow our economy, we need to support these new businesses that have the potential to become major players in our business community.”

The Ignition Program was launched in June of 2014 to assist startups on Prince Edward Island by providing them with an investment of $25,000 to develop their businesses. Innovation PEI received 46 submissions from individuals interested in pursuing entrepreneurship in the province.

Funding is being provided to: Queen Bee Games, Pownal; Island Gold Honey, Murray Harbour North; Can’t Check This, Charlottetown; Sun Country Safety Wear, Vernon River; Island Artisan Cheesehouse, Mont Carmel; Skip the Waiting Room, Cornwall; BamText Corp, Charlottetown; and Serene View Ranch, Alexandra.

“I want to congratulate all of our applicants for their creativity and ambition. They have shown great vision, and Innovation PEI will be following up with each of them to make sure they can benefit from our existing programs and services to help business in this province,” said Minister Roach. “

For more information on Innovation PEI and the Ignition program, visit www.innovationpei.com.

BACKGROUNDER

Queen Bee Games Incorporated – Kathleen and Steven Cassidy, Pownal

Queen Bee Games is an independent video game studio in PEI. Kathleen and Steven develop high quality, cross-platform video games that stand out because of their signature art style, intriguing characters, fun and challenging game-play.

Island Gold Honey – Sean Murray, Murray Harbour North

Island Gold Honey produces and sells pure unpasteurized Prince Edward Island Honey. Island Gold Honey was recently purchased by Sean Murray who is leading the growth and development of the business, including expanding his sales beyond Prince Edward Island.

Can’t Check This – Heather and Brian Howatt, Charlottetown

Can’t Check This was created to provide female athletes with sport apparel branded and made specifically for them. After conducting initial trial runs, Heather Howatt decided to pursue the idea and create a business around this female focused brand.

Sun Country Safety Wear – Rouben and Vicky Edgar, Vernon River

Sun Country Safety Wear will be the exclusive distributor in North America of Italian-made Grisport leather safety footwear. The company will have safety boots and shoes suitable for almost all work environments including a welding boot, chainsaw boot and cold weather boots.

Island Artisan Cheesehouse – Mathieu Gallant, Mont Carmel

Island Artisan Cheesehouse will make fresh locally crafted curd cheese snacks for the restaurant and food service/retail industries. Island Artisan Cheesehouse will be the only fresh, off-the-shelf snack cheese product offered in PEI.

Skip the Waiting Room – Mark Richardson, Cornwall

Mark Richardson is developing a way for walk-in clinics to help patients avoid sitting in a waiting room. The product will provide online scheduling and automated phone and text messages that will inform the patient when they should leave for their walk-in centre visit.

BamText Corp – Jordan Fraser, Charlottetown

BamText is a customer feedback system allowing customers to send instant, free and private text messages to business owners or managers with compliments, complaints, suggestions or questions, all while remaining 100% anonymous.

Serene View Ranch – Caroline LeBlanc, Alexandra

Serene View Ranch is owned and operated by Caroline LeBlanc, a Registered Psychologist, to provide health services to patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress. The Ranch will offer equine-assisted therapy to treat trauma in the general populations as well as first responders and veterans.