Live Edge Timber Co.

Kevin Slama and Stephanie Landry of L'Ange-Gardien, Quebec, pitched Live Edge Timber Co., asking for $500,000 for 20%. The company sells a modular, Canadian-made timber-link system that lets consumers build their own custom live-edge furniture without carpentry skills; a table and bench that would retail for around $3,000 can be made with their system for about $780. The product is sold in every Lowe's Canada and in 100 Home Depot locations across the country. In their first fiscal year they did $250,000 in sales, and in their current second year they had already done $2.9 million. The founders had personally invested $40,000 and had about $460,000 in debt, including loans from Investissement Québec and the BDC, and were seeking the investment mainly for inventory financing due to cash flow challenges from stocking new retail shelf space.

Lane Merrifield and Michele Romanow both went out, questioning whether the company needed equity investment rather than cheaper financing options. Vincenzo Guzzo went out, believing existing financial partners could help cover the need. Manjit Minhas offered the full $500,000 for 20%, while Jim Treliving countered with $1,000,000 for 25%, prompting Manjit to join Jim's offer at $1,000,000 for 30% combined. Lane and Michele then offered an alternative of $500,000 for 15% plus a $500,000 loan at a lower interest rate, but the founders ultimately accepted the original $1,000,000 for 30% deal with Jim Treliving and Manjit Minhas.

Live Edge Timber Co. is still operating and sells through its website.