‘Adequate housing’ builder first Founders Circle winner

MINETT — A unique new home construction company aimed at building “adequate housing” for more modest needs, has won in the inaugural Founders Circle entrepreneur award.

Kim Aitken, centre, accepts the first $10,000 Founders Circle cheque from Rick Rick Dalmazzi, and Ruth Bell Towns at a gala at the J.W. Marriott on Rosseau recently. Nine other finalists received $1,000 each.

Startup business owner Kim Aitken, of Aitken Frame Homes in Bracebridge, picked up a cool $10,000 in seed money at a gala dinner here at the Minett Marriott.

Founders Circle executive chair Rick Dalmazzi made the announcement and presented the cheque, along with Ruth Bell Towns who tabulated the results of the contest.

The inaugural Muskoka Founders Circle winner of $10,000 was announced at a gala March 22.

Aitken, who started her business last November, was one of 10 finalists for the new Muskoka business initiative. She began her business after working eight years in structural design and says she has a patent on her design.

She has just begun building her first “adequate housing” home, which in a video on the Founders Circle website says her patented design is meant to appeal to people who may be struggling, but still want a detached home.

She says Aitken homes is Canada’s first “winter build” home construction company, “using a proprietary new build method to deliver affordable homes at half the cost of traditional build methods.”

The Founders Circle is a group of private, individual community members who want to promote unique business ideas.

Nine other finalists each received $1,000.

To see the finalists’ video presentations and for more information on the Founcers Circle, go to their website at https://www.muskokafounderscircle.com

Or contact Dalmazzi at rick@sawdustcitybeer.com