FORT FRANCES—The winner of the Idea Factory Challenge in Rainy River District was announced Monday night at La Place Rendez-Vous, with Rick Pollard of Stratton taking home the $4,000 prize for his “SpeedShield” invention.
Organized by the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre in Thunder Bay, in partnership with the Rainy River Future Development Corp., the Idea Factory Challenge allowed people to submit their best new innovative ideas.
Pollard’s prize money will go toward business expenses. He also will be provided with 12 months of support through the Innovation Centre’s Innovator Members program.
“It’s a great opportunity for the stage I’m at,” Pollard enthused following Monday night’s award presentation. “I’m thrilled to know that other people see in the product what we see in it.”
Pollard explained he’s spent years designing, building, and experimenting with the tent-like structure. The idea started out because he was looking for an easy way to cover his outdoor equipment.
He wanted something that was quick and easy to use—something that came fully assembled. Thus, the “SpeedShield” was born.
Soon he decided it was a product he wanted to share with the rest of the world.
“I’m doing it slow because I want to do it right,” Pollard stressed, though noting his business has become much bigger from where it started.
Pollard and his wife, Rhonda, have spent a lot of time finding and purchasing the materials, buying the equipment, getting the name trademarked, and manufacturing the products.
They even rented the Pinewood Hall to use as their factory.
“We’ve put a lot of time into it. I really think it’s going to take off,” Pollard enthused, adding he’d eventually like to bring a plant into the area to manufacture the SpeedShield.
“We’ll have to see what happens.”
Judy Sander, manager of the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, said she was pleased with the number of entries, indicating 13 people sent in their innovative ideas on a wide range of topics.
“They were all really good—extremely well-written and well-thought out,” Sander told the contestants. “It was great to see the time and energy that was put into them.
“It made it difficult for the judges to choose a winner.”
Sander added the judges asked her to present a certificate to an honourable mention—Kami and Mike Leatherdale of Bear Pass with their “Bare Bags.”
They came up with the idea of producing five reusable shopping bags that can be inserted into a small pouch when not being used.
Sander stressed those who did not win should not think of their innovative ideas as “losers.”
“You can still move something forward,” she said, acknowledging some of the programs and support offered by the Innovation Centre.
“Don’t give up,” she continued. “And for those in the community, don’t dismiss someone’s idea because they are working out of their garage.
“It might be a great idea, so support them.”
Sander explained the purpose of the Idea Factory Challenge is to recognize and celebrate innovation in the area.
“We often don’t do anything with the ideas we have,” she noted. “And it’s ideas that grow into innovative new businesses.
“So many communities have been hit hard with job losses. We need to encourage entrepreneurs to help things grow.”
She said this is the fifth year the contest has been run, but the first time it was introduced directly to residents in Rainy River District.
“When we’ve held the contest in the past, while it was for everyone in Northwestern Ontario, word tended to get out more in Thunder Bay, resulting in a Thunder Bay winner,” she remarked, adding it was Angela Halvorsen of the RRFDC who suggested it be brought out in the region.
“That was great because I believe there are a lot of great innovative ideas across Northwestern Ontario,” Sander remarked.
While it is unknown at this time whether the Idea Factory Challenge will be held again next year in the area, both Sander and Halvorsen said it likely would be worthwhile due to the amount of response it received this year.
For more information on the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, contact Sander at 1-807-768-6696.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
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