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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, February 27, 2013 · 8 Pythons preparing to be wowed by finalists The Halton entrepreneurs competing in the inaugural edition of Pythons' Pit have been finalized. In their submissions, finalists tackled issues from bacterial contamination in the food chain to new uses for waste. Pythons' Pit is a partnership between the Rotary Clubs of Halton and McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business. For the finalists, an investment pool of more than $150,000 has been furnished by local business moguls -- pythons -- who will also serve as the judges: · Randy Pilon, founder and president and CEO of Virox Technologies Inc., Oakville · John Romano, owner of Nickle Brook brewery · Susanne Mikler, co-founder and owner of LC Liaison College/Culinary Arts in Oakville · George Minakakis, a retail leader formerly with the Luxottica Group, parent company for LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut and Licensed Brands · Nadir Ansari, owner and CEO of Isherwood Associates · Don Dalicandro, CEO of ASI Competitors will receive investment capital from the pythons in return for an equity stake. In the high school division, eight local students will have a chance to pitch their business ideas in order to win cash prizes. Entrepreneurs Hailey DeSantis-Patry's and Jeremy Patry's products can be purchased fresh, frozen, or to bake at home. · Totem Bags by Melissa Richardson designs, manufactures and markets goods made from locally sourced upcycled materials in both a corporate and retail line. · DeVis Technologies principals George Botos, Manfred Vormbaum and Radu Elias devised a technology to clean and disinfect dental instruments at less than half the cost and about half the time without involving toxic chemicals. · Custom Cooler Bros. allows individual consumers to customize cooler products. Brothers Kyle and Blair Cunningham also sell specialty products new to Canada. Pythons' Pit Finalists High School Category include: · CreoSearch.ca a unique online resource for students seeking job opportunities -- Emily Chen, Simren Rai and Jessy Kang, Abbey Park High School · iTrain is a product that allows athletes to train for multiple sports using the same product -- Garret DeOre and Patrick Choi, Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School · Namaste is an Indian food-to-go company based in Milton that brings the traditional taste of Indian food right to everyone's table -- Ann Mathulla, Bishop P.F Reding Catholic Secondary School See Ideas page 9 OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO / @halton_photog REady to pounce: The kickoff of the first Python's Pit contest was held at Liaison College. Now, finalists have been selected for the competition that will see an investment pool of more than $150,000 up for grabs on March 23. The six python Halton business leaders who have come together to support the contest -- are, from left, George Minakakis, Don Dalicandro, Susanne Mikler, Randy Pilon, Nadir Ansari and John Romano. The python was courtesy of Safari Science. All of the entrepreneurs will make their pitches to the pythons on March 23 at DeGroote's Ron Joyce Centre. Entrepreneurial evangelist, lawyer, professor and business mentor, Sean Wise will emcee the event. For information or to purchase tickets for the shows, visit www. PythonsPit.ca. Pythons' Pit Finalists OPEN Category include: · OverAir Proximity Technologies Ltd. Ethan Quoc-Nam Do develops devices and tags. · AbCelex Technologies develops products to prevent bacterial infections in food animals. McMaster medical school student Salva Sadeghi and Dr. Saeid Babaei produce feed additives aimed at improving animal health, and, in turn, human health. · You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free produces muffins and cakes tailored for people with gluten or food intolerances. P A STA F E STI VA L On Now Until March 18th Traditional Caesar Salad Or Mixed Garden Greens with a Sherry Balsamic Vinaigrette Or Chef's Homemade Soup of the Day Homemade Meat Cannelloni Baked with Cheddar Cheese over Tomato Cream Sauce Or Spaghettini Bolognese (Traditional Meat Sauce) Or Fettuccine alla Carbonara (Roasted Bacon in a White Wine Cream Sauce with egg, Parmesan Cheese & Cracked Black Pepper) Or Penne Arrabiatta with Fresh Basil & Yellow Peppers Or Orecchiette with a Trio of Wild Mushrooms, Broccoli in a Light Parmesan Olive Oil Garlic Sauce ef Fresh PEI Mussels & Littleneck Clams over Linguine in a Chardonnay, Marinara Sauce Or Rigatoni with Fire-roasted Veal Strips in a Barolo Wine Sauce Topped with Roasted Pine nuts Or Butter Poached Striped Lobster Ravioli with a Riesling Cream Vermouth Sauce, Fresh Garlic & Chives Or Cheese Tortellini with Roasted Bacon and Swiss Cheese in a Tomato Cream Sauce Or Chef's Daily Pasta Creation $27.00 (plus taxes and gratuities) Dessert Selection ef 1715 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga 905-822-5751 · www.michaelsbackdoor.com