Mississauga, ON – October 22nd, 2025 – Today, Startup Canada announced the winners of the 2025 Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale. Amidst the full-house crowd of the final Startup Canada Tour stop in Mississauga, Ranah Chavoshi, Co-Founder & CEO of PhyCo Technologies Inc., was named the first-place winner, taking home $30,000. Joeydolls, founded by Samantha Ong, earned the second-place prize, winning $15,000. GrownStone, pitched by Adrian Simone, took third place, collecting $7,500. Finally, PhyCo Technologies Inc. was also voted the 2025 People’s Choice Award winner, securing an additional $2,500 cash prize!
Founded by Ranah Chavoshi, PhyCo Technologies Inc. is a Vancouver-based biotechnology company advancing sustainable materials through algae innovation. PhyCo develops eco-friendly bioplastics derived from algae, helping replace fossil-based plastics with renewable, biodegradable alternatives.
Founded by Samantha Ong, Joeydolls is a Toronto-based toy company empowering diversity and representation through inclusive dolls inspired by real cultural identities. Each Joeydoll is thoughtfully designed to reflect unique stories and traditions, encouraging children to see themselves and others in a positive light.
Co-Founded by Adrian Simone, GrownStone creates environmentally conscious concrete alternatives made from waste materials, addressing one of the largest carbon footprints in global construction. Their innovation supports sustainable infrastructure by transforming industrial by-products into low-emission building materials.
“Winning the Startup Global Pitch Competition is incredible for us as an early-stage company,” said Ranah Chavoshi, Co-Founder & CEO of PhyCo Technologies Inc. “This support will allow us to grow our team, secure a new patent, and bring our technology to the world so we can maximize our impact. My advice to other entrepreneurs pitching their businesses is to just get on stage and have fun; it’s the best way to show your passion.”
“Today was a clear demonstration of the talent, passion, and commitment that Canadian entrepreneurs have,” said Isabel Nolan, the Director of Programs at Startup Canada. “The finalists showcased incredible innovation and global readiness. We’re so proud to celebrate their success and look forward to seeing their impact across Canada and beyond.”
The top ten finalists were selected through a series of in-person and virtual qualifying pitch competitions, with stops in Calgary, Vancouver, Moncton, and the final event in Mississauga, the largest of the year. At each of these pop-up pitch competitions, regional founders competed for $3,000 cash and a guaranteed spot in the Grand Finale. Additional finalists were selected through virtual pitch qualifiers for entrepreneurs who did not have access to an in-person regional competition.
The 2025 Startup Global program provided a total of $70,000 in cash prizes to Canadian entrepreneurs and plans to increase this amount to $100,000 for the 2026 Startup Global program.
The program supported thousands of Canadian entrepreneurs as they navigated international markets through free webinars, industry roundtables, resource guides, and pitch competitions, with national support from the presenting partners UPS and Export Development Canada.
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