The Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation (SLBDC) plans to make some changes to a new initiative after the winners of the Lambton Innovation Challenge were recently announced.
The innovation challenge, aimed at supporting new or growing businesses, launched this past summer.
SLBDC General Manager Don Anderson said fewer than 10 interested applicants reached out, some withdrew their applications and some didn't follow through with the process.
"We weren't expecting a large number of intakes," he said. "We were appreciative of the level of interest shown and intrigued by the level of innovation."
Anderson said for the future, they may look at changing the training elements and adjusting timelines.
"We'll call this one the pilot if you will, it was finding our way along. There are some things we've learned through the process that we'll do a little bit differently moving forward," he said. "It was kind of like laying the groundwork for something that we want to do on a recurring basis."
Winners were announced last week. First place, of a $150,000 repayable loan with no interest for three years, was awarded to the Institute of Wedding and Event Design (Brain Maxfield).
"The pitches were very close but one of the things [that stood out] was just the level of innovation that we're looking at and the proficiency of the positions that we're looking to attract in the community."
Online Digital Education Academy (Stacey Milliken) was awarded second place with a loan of $50,000.
There was a tie for third place so Lord's Health and Wellness Centre (Nicholas Lord) and Tribal Lands Safety and Rescue (James Gandier & James Cosgrove) each received a loan of $25,000.