Startup Canada and Pizza Hut Canada spotlight Canadian founders through a new national pitch program
On June 10, five inspiring Canadian entrepreneurs were each awarded $10,000 at the inaugural Startup Canada Equal Slice Pitch Competition, held in partnership with Pizza Hut Canada. This new initiative is focused on creating equal opportunities for entrepreneurs across Canada by increasing access to education, resources, and grants, helping them gain the visibility, support, and funding they need to grow.
The competition attracted over 200 applicants from coast to coast, with 50 entrepreneurs selected to participate in the in-person event at the Google office in Toronto. The top 50 chosen participants received one-on-one mentorship from Google employees and took part in a pitch workshop on-site to help refine their stories and sharpen their delivery.
The five winners of the Equal Slice Pitch Competition were:
DOUBL Manufacturing Ltd. – Bryn Davis Williams
elerGreen Industry – Hui Huang Hoe
Rude Mama – Thi Viet Anh Nguyen
Canadian Handywoman – Tammy Watson
My Dorm Store – Arlyne James
These founders stood out for their vision, resilience, and potential to drive meaningful impact in their communities and industries. In addition to these top five winners, Startup Canada also recognized the remaining top 10 finalists for their standout pitches and innovative business ideas: Partyra Technologies (Joseph), I Can Infotech Inc. (Retailr) (Mandipkumar Kanjiya), Mind Model AI Inc. (Kimberly Hebeisen), Make Me Fancy (Aleecia Cameron), and July Health (Julie Mai).
“The Equal Slice Pitch Competition is about more than funding, it’s about recognition, opportunity, and building a more inclusive startup ecosystem,” said Isabel Nolan, Director of Programs at Startup Canada. “The energy and passion in the room made it clear that this is just the beginning for these incredible founders.”
The program was made possible by presenting partner Pizza Hut Canada, whose support has been instrumental in bringing the Equal Slice vision to life.
“At Pizza Hut Canada, we believe in giving everyone a seat at the table. We’re proud to partner with Startup Canada to help build a future where more entrepreneurs feel seen, supported, and celebrated,” said Hannah White, Head of People at Pizza Hut Canada. “We can’t wait to see where these founders go next.”
Startup Canada extends its thanks to the judges who lent their expertise to the competition, including representatives from Google Canada, Pizza Hut Canada, and Kind Laundry.
For entrepreneurs who missed the in-person event, a virtual edition of the Equal Slice Pitch Competition will take place on October 7, 2025, continuing the mission of empowering equity-deserving founders from all backgrounds and regions.
Learn more about the Equal Slice program and upcoming opportunities at https://www.startupcan.ca/startup-canada-equal-slice-program/
About Startup Canada
Startup Canada is the gateway to Canada’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re here to connect entrepreneurs with the support, community, and tools they need to build a successful business in Canada. Since our inception in 2012, Startup Canada has grown to support more than 130,000 entrepreneurs annually and an ever-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem support network from coast to coast to coast. Through our flagship and digital programs, we provide guidance, eliminate barriers, and champion the needs of each and every entrepreneur to private and public sector partners. Startup Canada supports entrepreneurs in starting up and scaling up to ultimately make Canada the best place to start and build a business. For more information, visit https://www.startupcan.ca/.
Media Contact:
Britney Bresciani
Press@startupcan.ca