$20,000 in Prizes to Deserving Local Entrepreneurs Muskoka – Muskoka Founders Circle, a group of Muskoka-based businesspeople working to support entrepreneurism in Muskoka, is pleased to announce the winners of the fifth annual Founders Choice Awards contest. Winners were selected and prizes were awarded at a public event held at the Gravenhurst Opera House on February 28th, 2024. Presentations by the finalists to a panel of judges and the public were followed by an announcement of the winners and a celebration reception.
The first prize of $10,000 was awarded to Muskoka River Bagel Company in Bracebridge. Owner Morgan Vassallo was accompanied by her business partners and parents Paddy and David McDonald. The company produces and sells handcrafted bagels made from locally sourced ingredients, as well as artisanal cream cheeses.
As a result of a tie in the voting, two second prizes of $5,000 were awarded. Hidden Habitat in Gravenhurst is a plant nursery that grows Ontario native wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and trees, and offers landscaping and garden design services. Founder and president Laura Thomas was on hand to accept the award. Muskoka North Good Food Co-op in Huntsville is a community-owned food co-operative that works to grow Muskoka’s regional food system and sells directly
to the public. General Manager Kelli Ebbs accepted the award.
Each year Muskoka Founders Circle awards cash prizes to the most deserving small business ventures in Muskoka. This year’s contest attracted a record 51 entries from entrepreneurs across the region.
“Each of our seven finalists did a superb job in representing their companies”, said Rick Dalmazzi, executive chair of Muskoka Founders Circle. “Again this year the voting was very close. Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all who came out to enjoy the presentations and join in the celebration.”
