Startup Canada highlighted 12 incredible entrepreneurs who are building bold, impactful, and innovative companies across Canada! You might have already seen some of these founders featured on our social media channels, and now, we’re bringing their stories together in one place!
These entrepreneurs are shaping the Canadian startup landscape! They were selected as winners of the inaugural Startup Canada Equal Slice Pitch Competitions (powered by Pizza Hut Canada) and the Startup Global Pitch Competitions, with each one representing the creativity, resilience, and innovation of Canada’s startup ecosystem.
This year, hundreds of entrepreneurs from across Canada stepped forward to share their ideas, stories, and dreams. Each application reflected the courage it takes to build something new and the deep commitment founders have to solving real problems in their communities. At Startup Canada, “winning” is not about perfection; it’s about purpose, perseverance, and potential. These founders stood out for their clarity of vision, their ability to create meaningful impact, and the dedication they bring to their work.
Bryn Davis Williams, Co-Founder & CEO, DOUBL
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice – Toronto
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
Bryn is tackling one of online shopping’s biggest frustrations: sizing! DOUBL connects shoppers to a personalized virtual body double, reducing returns, waste, and guesswork for concerns and brands alike!
“The Equal Slice Pitch Competition came at a pivotal time for us…this support gives us the momentum to keep building toward our vision,” Bryn shared.
Hui Huang Hoe, Founder & Investor, elerGreen Industry
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
elerGreen transforms industrial waste, including CO2, petrochemicals, and mining tailings, into valuable new products using renewable energy. Hui Huang’s breakthrough approach advances both environmental responsibility and economic opportunity.
“Maybe the real prize was the friends we made along the way,” he reflected on the Equal Slice Pitch Competition experience.
Viet Anh Nguyen, Founder & CEO, Rude Mama Hot Sauce
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
Blending bold Vietnamese flavours with Ontario-grown ingredients, Rude Mama Hot Sauce creates vegan, small-batch hot sauces with a clean-label and zero-plastic approach. It is redefining what a hot sauce brand can look like, flavourful, sustainable, and rooted in culture.
“Winning gave us the funding we needed right when we needed it the most,” Viet Anh shared.
She recently appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, securing a deal from Manjit Minhas.
Tammy Watson, Founder & Handywoman, Canadian Handywoman
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice
Location: Quinte West, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
Canadian Handywoman empowers women to take home repairs into their own hands through mentorship, courses, and workshops like “DIY Like a Girl.” What began as a repair service is now a movement building confidence through hands-on learning.
“Winning gave me the confidence, clarity, and visibility to keep growing this vision,” Tammy reflected.
Learn more about Canadian Handywoman!
Arlyne James, Founder & CEO, My Dorm Store
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
My Dorm Store streamlines the move-in experience by delivering residence essentials directly to students’ rooms before they arrive. Students settle in faster, parents stress less, and residence teams avoid the rush!
“Winning the Equal Slice competition gave me the opportunity to share our story and continue growing our impact,” Arlyne noted.
Learn more about My Dorm Store!
Dr. Laura Shoots, Founder & CEO, Take Care Together
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice – Virtual
Location: Paris, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
Take Care Together supports families through health crises by helping individuals prepare essential documents, wishes, and information in a compassionate, accessible way.
“With AI-powered guidance coming soon, thanks to Pizza Hut and Startup Canada, Take Care is on a mission to make planning ahead easier, more human, and rooted in love,” Laura shared.
Learn more about Take Care Together!
Le Ching Vuong, Founder, Roncy Packs
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice – Virtual
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
Born from a fanny pack sewn from leftover scraps by her grandmother, Ronchy Packs creates repairable small-batch bags from upcycled leather and textile offcuts. With more than 6,000 handcrafted packs made, the brand champions sustainability and craftsmanship.
“We’re excited to continue making thoughtful products, preserving craft, and proving that small-scale making can still make a big impact,” Le Ching reflected.
Shruti Priya Agarwal, Co-Founder & CEO, Whipdd
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice – Virtual
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
Whipdd creates fresh, all-natural butter blends made with Canadian dairy and local ingredients, now available in 200+ retailers nationwide! Their clean-label approach is reimagining a classic household staple.
“Winning provided incredible visibility, funding, and connections,” Shruti Priya shared.
Merveille Mukoko, Founder & CEO, Yekola
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice – Virtual
Location: Mississauga, Ontario
Prize: $10,000
Yekola is making African and Indigenous language learning accessible and culturally rooted through a technology-driven, community-centred platform. It is a mission to preserve culture, identity, and intergenerational connection.
“Winning gave us momentum and visibility to scale this mission,” Merveille expressed.
Kristyn Carriere, Co-Founder & CEO, 7 Summits Snacks
Pitch Competition: Equal Slice – Virtual
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Prize: $10,000
7 Summits Snacks fuels active lifestyles with functional chocolate made from real, ethically sourced ingredients. Now selling in 200+ retailers across Canada, they are preparing for U.S. expansion.
“The pitch competition helped us refine our story and strengthen our strategy,” Kristyn said.
Learn more about 7 Summits Snacks!
Ranah Chavoshi, Co-Founder & CEO, PhyCo Technologies
Pitch Competition: Startup Global – Mississauga
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Prize: $30,000 (First Place) and $2,500 (People’s Choice Award)
PhyCo is tackling the $100B agricultural plastic crisis with compostable, carbon-negative materials created through seaweed biorefinery technology. Their solutions help farmers reduce waste while supporting planetary health.
Learn more about PhyCo Technologies!
Samantha Ong, Founder & CEO, Joeydolls
Pitch Competition: Startup Global – Mississauga
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Prize: $15,000 (Second Place)
Joeydolls creates culturally authentic dolls that help children feel seen, connected, and proud of who they are. Since launching in 2023, the brand has reached the hearts of thousands of families and expanded into 80+ retailers.
Samantha shared that Joeydolls’ long-term vision is to become the go-to educational brand for families seeking toys rooted in cultural celebration, learning, and belonging.”
Thank you to all 12 founders for continuing to inspire, share, and pave the way for future entrepreneurs.
Each of these entrepreneurs embodies the innovation and determination that drive Canada’s startup community. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!