June was a standout month for us, centred around the much-anticipated Demo Day! Our Cohort 17 founders from the Accelerator program impressed us with their dedication and outstanding presentations. This year, we amped up the excitement by hosting two Demo Days: one spotlighting the innovative brands from Western Canada and another featuring the accomplished entrepreneurs from the East. Both events were a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of our founders, who delivered compelling pitches that earned applause from the audience.
Dive into the highlights and behind-the-scenes moments from this memorable month!
Demo Day West: Celebrating Success in Calgary
On Wednesday, June 19, our Western founders from Cohort 17 came together in Calgary for a remarkable graduation event. These up-and-coming food and beverage innovators showcased their brands in front of an audience packed with industry leaders, including top retail buyers, distributors, brokers, and an esteemed panel of judges.
The expert panel included Gary Hughes, Local Development Manager at Sobeys; Glen Price, CEO of Sunterra Market; Ken Bautista, Founder of Makespace and Flightpath Ventures; and Charlene Butler, Angel Investor.
Congratulations to the standout brands at Demo Day West:
Tuesday Brewing Company in Calgary, AB, is transforming the non-alcoholic beer scene. Under the leadership of CEO Scott Sheppard, who took over after the founder's passing, the brewery has thrived. Tuesday Brewing focuses on crafting tasty, health-conscious, non-alcoholic beers infused with vitamins C and D. Their brews reflect values of joy, mindful choices, wellness, and community, promoting active living and inclusivity.
Kristeva Dowling, a Vancouver native, turned her beekeeping hobby into a passion for mead-making. Alongside her husband Eric, she founded Stolen Harvest in Grovedale, AB, in 2020. Their award-winning mead, known for its distinctive flavors, is driven by sustainability and ethical beekeeping. Kristeva's dedication to quality and experimentation is inspiring a new era for mead enthusiasts.
Elaine Van and Cam Hoffman's Not Too Sweet venture, from Vancouver, BC, was inspired by a transformative encounter with craft cola during a German heatwave. Driven by passion, they returned home to create their own line of unique craft sodas. Through countless experiments, they perfected Not Too Sweet, aiming to make their sodas central to people's stories and adventures. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and nostalgia, Not Too Sweet is more than a soda company — it's a reminder to savour inspiring moments.
In Calgary, AB, Dr. Yvonne Kangong and her husband Wilfred founded KFS Rx Meals to tackle diabetes. Dr. Kangong, an Obesity Medicine Specialist and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Calgary, brings her health and wellness expertise to the brand, complemented by Wilfred's experience in technology and enterprise solutions. Together, they leverage their combined 30+ years of professional experience to lead the health and wellness industry and create lasting change.
Kreg and Lee-Anne Alde founded Friceys to uphold their family's farming legacy near Beaverlodge, AB. They are passionate about sharing the haskap berry through their delicious creamsicles. Kreg, a fourth-generation farmer, and Lee-Anne, with a background in agricultural labs, combine their talents to run their berry orchard. Since 2020, they have crafted creamsicles to introduce the haskap berry with familiar flavours. Their venture is a true family effort, with their children, Nevada and Konnor, actively involved. Friceys reflects their commitment to quality food, community support, and family unity.
Birds & Bees Wine and Spirits, from Edmonton, AB, is celebrated for its high-quality mead and alcoholic beverages. Founded by Shane Chrapko, the company upholds a rich farming legacy dating back to 1928. Using Alberta-grown grain and fruit, the Chrapko family controls every production aspect to ensure premium quality and sustainability. Their blend of tradition and innovation sets a high standard in the beverage industry.
Demo Day East: A Grand Finale in Toronto
Eastern entrepreneurs from Cohort 17 stole the spotlight in Toronto on June 26th at Demo Day East. The event drew top industry leaders, a panel of experienced judges, and VIP guests.
Judging the pitches were industry veterans including our own alumni Suzie Yorke, Monica Walker of Healthy Planet, Randy Whittekar from ONFC, and Robert Stuart from BMO. Their feedback and expertise added significant value to the event, empowering the emerging entrepreneurs and ensuring a memorable and impactful day.
Congratulations to the members of Demo Day East:
Located in Muskoka, ON, North Hound Life, founded by Grazyna Szawlowski, pioneers natural herbal and nutritional supplements for dogs. Born from the demand for holistic pet care, North Hound Life offers whole-food-based supplements that enhance overall well-being. Rapidly becoming a trusted name, the brand prioritizes quality and aims to enrich the lives of dogs and their owners alike. Grazyna's vision extends across North America, aiming to provide the best natural health solutions for happier, healthier four-legged companions.
Based in Burlington, ON, Sanathan Kassiedass, founder of Red Cap Hot Sauce, is turning his father’s special pepper sauce recipe into a cherished household name. As a technologist and urban planner, San has passionately embraced a mission to introduce this unique flavour to a wider audience. With Trinidadian roots, he meticulously validated the market and perfected the taste through rigorous testing before launching Red Cap Hot Sauce. Beyond business, San aims to make his products a symbol of quality, honour his heritage, and contribute to community causes through charitable initiatives.
Salted Co., based in Toronto, ON, was founded by friends Sarah Murphy and Sasha Seymour, inspired during a cocktail evening to reimagine the traditional nut mix. Their vision is to elevate social gatherings with Salted Co.'s Fancy Cocktail Nuts, meticulously crafted in small batches for exceptional quality. Featuring Spanish Marcona and Valencia almonds, renowned for their rich flavour, their creations include innovative blends like hickory infused with Lapsang Souchong tea and candied rosemary with green raisins. Each package offers pairing suggestions, reflecting European aperitif culture and the elegance of classic hotel bars, blending glamour with simplicity.
Isabelle Jolette and Nicolas St-Pierre, founders of SETA Organic, began their journey in their kitchen three years ago, driven by a shared passion for health and wellness. Their plant-based superfood blends are meticulously crafted without added flavors, gums, or additives, ensuring purity and potency in every sip. Committed to ethical sourcing, they partner with farms dedicated to responsible practices, maintaining transparency and control over their supply chain. As they expand beyond Quebec, Isabelle and Nicolas aim to introduce SETA's blends to health-conscious consumers nationwide within the next year.
From Scarborough, ON, Kunal and Zahra Datta, co-founders of Squirrel’s Granola, blend diverse experiences and a shared culinary passion into their innovative snack brand. With expertise in marketing, supply chain management, and digital advertising, they infuse creativity with strategic insight. Inspired by global travels and culinary explorations, Squirrel’s Granola offers subtly spiced flavours that celebrate international cuisine with every bite. Their guilt-free, plant-based snacks are rich in protein and good fats, appealing to health-conscious consumers who prioritize both taste and nutrition. Kunal and Zahra are leading Squirrel’s Granola toward becoming a household name in the realm of healthy, globally-inspired snacks.
Saltwinds Coffee Company from the Maritimes blends the essence of sea-salted history into every brew. CEO Brad Rideout, seasoned with over three decades of entrepreneurship, leads the pursuit of excellence. COO Laura Richard, with a PhD in Chemistry from Oxford University, ensures innovation drives their industry leadership. Together, Brad and Laura revive a legacy with each cup, capturing the unique flavours of maritime history.
Riley's Kitchen, founded by Jennifer Giorgianni of Barrie, ON, offers wholesome, plant-based meal solutions tailored for all ages, starting with the youngest family members. Launched in 2021 due to Jennifer's dissatisfaction with sugary and overly processed baby foods, Riley's Kitchen provides a nutritious alternative with its pancake mix aimed at health-conscious parents. The product line has since expanded to include three wholesome options supporting baby-led weaning and providing toddlers with nutritious snacks. Crafted from simple, natural ingredients, these products are free from added sugars and packed with essential nutrients for growing children, simplifying cooking while maintaining quality and setting a new standard in baby and toddler nutrition.
Jackie’s Creative Cakes & Sweets in Scarborough, Ontario, founded by Jackelyn Sagadraka, began in 2021 to meet growing demand for her unique Ube-flavoured treats. Known for exceptional service and embracing Filipino culinary traditions, the bakery quickly became a local favourite. Jackie plans to expand with retail-ready products like Ube white hot chocolate mix, pancake mix, and jam, launching in major retailers in fall 2024. Jackie’s Creative Cakes & Sweets stands for passion, culinary excellence, and community dedication.
Located in Toronto, ON, Gertie's is a dessert venture founded by Ryan Campbell, named after his mother Gerda (Gertie). Established in December 2020, Gertie's signature pie blends creamy peanut butter mousse with mascarpone cream, quickly becoming a beloved treat. With Sara Steep, his fiancée and branding expert, Ryan aims to expand Gertie's beyond Canada into the U.S., tapping into a universal love for peanut butter and pie. As Gertie's grows, Ryan and Sara are laying a strong business foundation, exploring opportunities to establish Gertie's as a household name in premium desserts.
Perfecting the Pitch
Before each Demo Day, Western and Eastern brands convened for a bustling day of preparation. This included educational sessions, in-person networking, and pitch practice among peers to fine-tune their presentations.
Western Prep Day
On Tuesday, June 18, Western founders immersed themselves in a day of valuable insights and networking. They delved into essential topics such as debt financing with Ryan Sawka from FCC Food and Beverage, and broker dynamics with Mandi Zolkowski of Blume Natural Sales and Marketing. Their expertise was instrumental in guiding our founders through critical business strategies.
Later in the day, our founders had the privilege of hearing from three esteemed alumni of our Accelerator program. Jamie Parker of Canadian Heritage Roasting Company, Logan Derksen of Simply Cocktails, and Graham Matheos of One For The Road Brewing shared their inspiring journeys in the consumer packaged goods sector, offering advice and encouragement to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Eastern Prep Day
On Tuesday, June 25, our Eastern founders engaged in a full day of immersive learning and strategic insights. The morning commenced with a deep dive into debt financing led by Sean Murphy from our esteemed partner, BMO, providing essential financial guidance tailored to their entrepreneurial endeavors. Following this, Kyle Marsham of Marsham Natural Products Broker illuminated the nuances of broker relationships, equipping our founders with vital tools for market navigation.
Later in the afternoon, the room was charged with inspiration as two Accelerator alumni took center stage. Terry McAllister of McAllister’s Brands and Graydon Moffat of Graydon Skincare shared their personal journeys and entrepreneurial triumphs in a dynamic panel discussion moderated by our mentor, Michelle Neilson. Their invaluable perspectives and practical insights into building successful consumer packaged goods businesses left a mark on our aspiring entrepreneurs.
Graduation is Just the Beginning
Our Accelerator program is just the beginning of our journey with founders, and after graduation they remain integral to our community. At Venturepark Labs, we believe in long-term support and continuous growth, which is why we’re working on implementing post-program support and mentorship (stay tuned for exciting updates!).
Many of our graduates continue to support future generations of entrepreneurs by sharing their stories with new cohorts, fostering a cycle of mentorship and inspiration. This helps our community thrive in the ever-evolving consumer packaged goods industry.
Demo Day was a highlight of June, showcasing innovation and passion. We're eagerly anticipating the next chapter and the inspiring stories it will bring. Stay connected on our social media channels and be part of our community driving change in the food, beverage, and wellness sectors!
Are you ready to take your consumer packaged goods business to the next level? Apply now for Cohort 18 of our Accelerator program and embark on a transformative journey with Venturepark Labs. Don't miss out on this opportunity to accelerate your growth and shape the future of the industry.
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