EventBots Wins Bootstrapping Award

Posted in Community, Company News. Written by Amy Yee on February 23rd, 2010

On February 12, 2010, a number of Ottawa companies were celebrated for having bootstrapped themselves to success – EventBots among them.  We were thrilled to be included as the silver winner for Best New Micro Business of the Year, as we were in truly great company.  The large number of applications for the awards speaks well of the liveliness of Ottawa’s entrepreneurial scene and people who are pulling themselves up by their bootstraps.

Dr. Bruce Firestone, the team of judges and OCRI organizers have done a fantastic job putting this event together to recognize this category of entrepreneurs.  We may not have raised a lot of money, or be the biggest company (yet), but something is definitely working for us.  If you want to learn more about entrepreneurship or bootstrap capital – I highly recommend Bruce’s EQ blog for some good reading.

I want to thank all of our early customers for having the creativity and foresight to use us to love their audience.  It takes a lot to take the leap and try a new way of engaging people, and give a youg business a chance.  Thanks!

By the way, if you google “Bootstrapping” images, you’ll find the typical image is of workboots.  Well, my “workboots” have heels (though they are not the Stella boots pictured above), so I thought I’d adjust my image accordingly.  I’m sure there are many other women out there in the same boat.  ;)

Here’s a list of the winners complete with links to their websites (where I was able to find them – please comment if you know one that I’ve left out).  I’m sure you’ll agree they’re worth checking out.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of a 2010 Bootstrap Award:

1. Best New Micro Business of the Year
   Nominees should have annual revenues of less than or equal to $100,000.00

   Gold  - Network Hippo Inc
   Silver – EventBots
   Bronze – DoGood Headquarters

2. Fastest Growing 20 and under Bootstrap Startup of the Year
   Nominee must have been aged 20 years or under when the organization was started and the organization must be three years old or less.

   Gold  -  Stewart Supreme Vending
   Silver –  Full House Poker
   Bronze –  Jennifer Lee Promotions

3. Best New Web Site of the Year
   Nominees should demonstrate how the website’s design and usability supports the business model. Success indicators may include traffic and online sales.

   Gold  -  Wedding Republic
   Silver –  Citrify Inc.
   Bronze –  Jennifer Lee Promotions

4. Best New Technique for Sales, Pre-Sales or Launch Clients
   Nominees should demonstrate proven ability to identify and engage pre-launch and launch customers.

   Gold  -  CrowdWave Games
   Silver –  Unique Auction
   Bronze –  University Shipping

5. Best Value Differentiation Technique of the Year
   Presented to the company who is best able to articulate their differentiated value. See: http://www.dramatispersonae.org/DifferentiatedValueAnotherLook.htm.

   Gold  - UCreate Media
   Silver –  Fluid Surveys
   Bronze –  Adjoy

6. Best ‘Pixie Dust’ Technique of the Year
   Presented to the company that best demonstrates the magic behind their success. See: http://www.dramatispersonae.org/PixieDustDefinition.htm.

   Gold  -  Business Services, ETC (BSETC)
   Silver –  UCreate Media
   Bronze –  DoGood Headquarters

7. Most Innovative Source of Bootstrap Capital of the Year
   Presented to the company with the most innovative source of capital outside of traditional capital investment sources.

   Gold  -  MartSmart Shopping Network
   Silver –  Business Services, ETC (BSETC)
   Bronze –  DualCode Inc.

8. Best Guerrilla Marketing Idea or Campaign of the Year
   Presented to the company or organization with the most clever and successful guerrilla or social marketing tactic or campaign.

   Gold  -  Social Mention
   Silver –  DoGood Headquarters
   Bronze –  Ripple Adventure

9. Most Innovative New Bootstrap Business Model of the Year
   Presented to the company with the most innovative business model which enables the company to compete effectively within their target markets.

   Gold  -  Shopify
   Silver –  UCreate Media
   Bronze – Lease to Own Experts
   
   

10. Fastest Growing Bootstrap Startup
    Presented to the organization with significant top line growth. Organizations must be ten years of age or less and not have received outside funding of more than $650,000.

    Finalists: Mobile Money, MacGregor Media, Runamok Party Rentals, MediaMiser, Business Services, ETC (BSETC), Shopify, Unique Auction
    Winner to be announced at the OCRI Awards, April 8th at Hilton Lac Leamy

It’s definitely exciting how many interesting companies are being built right here in Ottawa.