As we conclude another successful cohort of our accelerator program, we are excited to introduce the outstanding entrepreneurs of Cohort 18. Over the past several months, these visionary founders have dedicated themselves to refining and scaling their businesses, each bringing unique innovations to the Canadian consumer packaged goods industry.
From sustainable wellness products and culturally significant food brands to high-quality beverages and specialty condiments, this diverse group represents the next generation of industry leaders. Their commitment to excellence, resilience, and community impact underscores the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our accelerator program.
Join us in celebrating the achievements of Cohort 18 as we highlight the remarkable brands that have emerged from this experience. Their journeys serve as a testament to the power of innovation, perseverance, and collaboration in building successful businesses.
Gillian McIver, founder of Reign Wellness, is on a mission to make periods sustainable and eco-friendly! 🌍 After a personal health journey, Gillian knew she wanted to create period products that were better for people and the planet. With certified organic, plastic-free products, Reign Wellness is setting a new standard in menstrual care, helping users feel good about their choices both physically and environmentally. And with every box sold, Reign removes one pound of plastic waste from the ocean!
Meet Ian Gladue, also known by his traditional name, Iron Buffalo 🦬, the proud Cree and Dene founder of Mitsoh. Overcoming significant challenges, including homelessness at 13 and battles with addiction, Ian channelled his resilience into creating Mitsoh—a company dedicated to authentic First Nations meat snacks like pemmican, a traditional Indigenous food. Mitsoh’s products aren’t just snacks; they’re a bridge to Indigenous culture, connecting people through food and tradition. For Ian, Mitsoh reflects his mission to restore and celebrate Indigenous heritage. He is dedicated to honouring Indigenous foods and ensuring that reconciliation is an everyday action, not just a conversation. Ian aims to expand Mitsoh onto grocery shelves nationwide, sharing these culturally rich snacks with even more communities. We’re honoured to have Ian in Cohort 18 as he continues his journey to bring Indigenous foods and culture to the forefront!
Meet Élise Allard and Teri-Lynn Friesen, co-founders of Fête Ice Cream! Their shared dream of creating high-quality, super-premium ice cream became a reality in November 2019, just before the pandemic. Undeterred, they pivoted to wholesale and online sales, turning challenges into sweet opportunities. Fête aims to foster community connections while providing innovative flavours and exceptional service. Now, with plans to expand beyond local markets into Sobeys and other major retailers, they’re ready to scale their beloved brand nationally. 🍦 Élise and Teri-Lynn hope to enhance their distribution strategies and marketing efforts, ensuring their ice cream delights even more customers across Canada.
Meet Andy Fennell, founder of Gravity Espresso and Wine Bar, a family-run business serving up exceptional coffee and supporting local musicians and artists since 2012. What began as a single café in Calgary’s Inglewood neighbourhood has grown into three locations, a thriving catering business, and a new coffee roasting venture with the acquisition of Five’21 Coffee Roasters. ☕ Gravity is as vibrant as the live music and community it supports and with the support of this accelerator, Andy is setting his sights on making Gravity a recognized North American brand, bringing his premium, small-batch blends to homes and businesses across the continent. Each bag of Gravity coffee reflects his dedication to creativity, quality, and community—a perfect blend of passion and ambition.
Meet Jennifer Ménard-Shand, the resilient powerhouse behind FireFlames Hot Sauce! Jennifer is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, speaker and founder & CEO of Staff Shop & FireFlames, bringing her First Nations Ojibwe heritage from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory and her French Canadian roots from Sudbury, Ontario into everything she does. FireFlames is an Indigenous & Women-owned business in support of moving reconciliation forward across Canada - going beyond hot sauce to honour Indigenous culture and contribute to CTA#92. Inspired by fresh, all-natural ingredients in a bag-swag bottle for those who enjoy bringing their own heat to tables, Jennifer is providing bold flavours to the culinary world while breaking generational curses and stereotypes. Jennifer joined this program to gain mentorship and build a network of like-minded entrepreneurs who can help her scale FireFlames into a leading brand. Her vision? To inspire First Nations communities to dream big and thrive across Canada and beyond.
Meet Jake Mahoney and Jesse Abbass, founders of The Halifax Honey Company, where the magic of local bees meets the sweetness of nature! 🐝 Jake and Jesse’s mission is to make The Halifax Honey Co. Canada’s favourite hot honey, bringing East Coast charm and bold flavours to kitchens nationwide. 🌶 With their sights set on becoming a recognized name in the specialty food sector, they’re aiming to stock shelves in major retail chains across Canada and potentially explore international markets. Through this program, they’re gaining the tools and connections needed to turn these ambitions into reality. Whether you’re drizzling it on pizza, spicing up your favourite recipes, or enjoying it straight from the jar, Halifax Honey’s signature Stingin’ Hot Honey delivers a unique, spicy-sweet twist that connects communities through a love of food.
Meet Cathy Munro, founder of Bramble Hill Farm, where she’s turning tiny microgreens into a movement! 🌱 After trading city life for a thriving farm in Nova Scotia, Cathy is on a mission to bring fresh, flavorful eating into every home. Her latest venture, the Micro Garden Kit—recently awarded Best Product of the Year by Taste of Nova Scotia—empowers anyone, no matter their space, to grow their own food, fostering connections to sustainable, healthy living. With plans to scale Bramble Hill Farm into a nationally recognized brand, Cathy is overcoming initial barriers to lay the groundwork for national distribution. Her commitment to sustainable agriculture and food literacy grows stronger every day.
Meet Amiel Leblanc, the mastermind behind Maritime Madness Hot Sauce! 🌶️ What began as a side hustle in Prince Edward Island in 2002 has grown into a beloved Canadian hot sauce brand that celebrates the bold flavours of the Maritimes. With a mission to bring high-quality, locally-inspired sauces to spice lovers everywhere, Amiel has expanded Maritime Madness to over 400 stores across Atlantic Canada and is now planning to take this Maritime favourite to national distribution and bring the heat to even more kitchens across the country!
We're honoured to introduce Greg Potapenko, Canadian Army veteran and founder of Tactical Snacks, as part of our Accelerator Cohort 18. 🇨🇦 Tactical Snacks was born from Greg’s commitment to creating high-performance, health-conscious snacks for veterans, law enforcement, tactical fitness enthusiasts, and anyone leading an active lifestyle. Inspired by tactical culture, Greg developed low-sugar, protein-packed gummies that fit seamlessly into tactical gear and gym bags. With a mission to disrupt the snack food industry, Tactical Snacks delivers snacks without compromise, empowering those with demanding routines to stay fueled and focused. Through the Venturepark Accelerator Program, Greg aims to refine Tactical Snacks’ business model and adopt sustainable production strategies—tapping into expert knowledge and valuable connections to bring his vision of accessible, functional snacks to life on a larger scale. Thank you for your service, Greg, and for your dedication to fueling health and performance in the tactical community and beyond!
Meet Adhavan Thirumaran, the driving force behind Thirus Gourmet! Thiru’s Gourmet began at his father's Thiru award-winning restaurant, where guests raved about wanting to take home their signature Mulligatawny Soup. After being named ‘Most Heart-Healthy’ by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, they bottled their soups and sauces, quickly gaining popularity across Southern Ontario. Now, Adhavan is on a mission to make Indian cuisine a household staple across Canada with their delicious plant-based, gluten-free offerings. He aims to enhance manufacturing practices, explore funding opportunities, and refine marketing strategies to expand the brand’s reach.
Meet Jessie Palmer, founder of Cabbage Patch Kimchi! 🥬 Inspired by her time in Korea, Jessie launched Cabbage Patch Kimchi in Halifax to bring authentic, probiotic-rich kimchi to Atlantic Canada. Starting in farmers’ markets, her kimchi quickly gained popularity and is now sold in over 150 Sobeys stores across Maritime provinces and other specialty retailers. With a mission to make Cabbage Patch Kimchi a favourite across the Maritimes and Ontario, Jessie joins our Accelerator program to refine her growth strategy, explore new partnerships, and expand production. Follow her journey as she shares this Atlantic favourite with all of Canada!
Raise a glass to Germain Bergeron, the visionary behind Bulwark Cider! 🍎 Rooted in Nova Scotia’s orchard traditions, Bulwark Cider crafts exceptional ciders from 100% fresh apples, celebrating local agriculture with every sip. Germain’s innovation continues with Mocksecco, a delightful range of non-alcoholic wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Moscato Rosé. He aims to expand Bulwark’s offerings to meet the growing demand for flavorful alternatives without the drawbacks of alcohol. As part of our Accelerator program, Germain is focused on broadening distribution for both Bulwark and Mocksecco, with plans to launch on Shopify and Amazon, making quality non-alcoholic options accessible beyond Atlantic Canada.
Meet Denise Atkinson, an Anishinaabe ikwe (Ojibwe woman) and the visionary founder of Teahorse Tea, where ancient Indigenous tea traditions blend seamlessly with modern wellness. 🍃 Founded in 2017, Tea Horse handcrafts artisanal tea blends with a signature twist—a proprietary roasting process that includes wild rice (Ojibwe: manoomin), delivering a unique and healing experience with every sip. As a proud Member of the Red Rock Indian Band, Denise’s deep-rooted connection to her Anishinaabeg heritage inspires Tea Horse’s mission to share Indigenous wellness practices and foster a connection to nature. Through the Venturepark Accelerator, Denise and her partner Marc are on a mission to grow Tea Horse into a nationally recognized brand, sharing their passion for tea and culture across Canada. They’re excited to strengthen their production capabilities and secure a co-packer—key steps toward making Tea Horse’s vision of community-focused wellness a reality.
Meet Ron Yoneda, founder of Yonedas, a brand rooted in Japanese craftsmanship and a love for BBQ. As a proud second-generation Japanese Canadian, Ron honours the legacy of his grandfather, Tomotaro Yoneda, who immigrated to Canada in 1903 and gained renown for his shipbuilding skills. This commitment to quality and integrity has been passed down through the generations, and Ron now channels it into the world of competitive BBQ. With Yonedas seasonings, Ron expertly blends his Japanese heritage with his passion for BBQ, creating award-winning flavours that elevate proteins and vegetables alike. From backyard enthusiast to competitive BBQ champion, Ron’s accolades include winning the Canadian Bacon Championships and placing 2nd in the World Bacon Championships. His unique fusion of Asian flavours and BBQ tradition promises a delicious journey for your taste buds. Ron aims to develop a robust marketing and distribution strategy that will help Yonedas scale on a national level, bringing his exceptional seasonings to BBQ lovers across Canada.
Introducing Rachel Smith, the Chief Bannock Maker and founder of Bannock Express and Bannock Mix Inc. Her journey began in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with the launch of Bannock Express, an Indigenous destination restaurant that celebrates the traditional culinary heritage of Bannock. This passion evolved into a wholesale company, allowing families across Canada to savour the authentic flavours she loves. Rachel’s story is one of resilience. As a survivor of residential schools, foster care, and group homes, she discovered her love for cooking as a healing journey. A dedicated mother of nine, Rachel’s mission is to celebrate Indigenous culinary traditions and foster appreciation for the rich cultural heritage behind them. With a vision to see Bannock Express become a leading name in the food industry, Rachel aims to increase brand awareness and learn about grocery chains. The plan is to make Bannock Express accessible on shelves in every store across Canada, inviting everyone to enjoy the taste of tradition.
Meet Marco Lee, the visionary behind Vinker Foods, where Tinker Bell’s magic meets bold Korean flavours. Vinker’s mission is to make plant-based eating fun and accessible, proving that delicious food can satisfy everyone. Their flagship product, Plant-based Korean Crispy Chick’n, features crispy nuggets with spicy-sweet Gochujang sauce, perfected over two years and 400 prototypes. Since launching at CHFA Vancouver in April 2024, it’s become a community favourite. Recognizing the significant potential in the Canadian market, Marco is eager to expand Vinker Foods’ presence. They aim to develop effective marketing and distribution strategies to reach a broader audience and establish Vinker as a leading name in plant-based foods across Canada.
Meet Joel Cote, founder of Crafted Corn, on a mission to redefine caramel popcorn with just 7 real ingredients. What began as an idea in 2020 has blossomed into Crafted Corn, officially launched in 2022. Starting in his home kitchen, Joel perfected his recipe and now operates from a 1300 sq. ft. facility where each bag is handmade using a unique blend of satellite and mushroom corn, real butter, sugar, and a secret caramel process. With Crafted Corn now in over 30 independent stores and expanding to major retailers like Safeway, Sobeys, and IGA across Alberta, Joel’s goal is to establish a strong presence in Western Canada within 8 years. However, he’s set his sights even higher, aiming to become a national brand. Currently Joel partners with grocers, particularly Sobeys, to gain essential knowledge on how to navigate the complexities of the large retail industry. 🌍
Welcome to Cohort 18, Steve Matthews, CEO of ADRA Canada!🎉 ADRA has been empowering communities for over 40 years, providing vital services in 100+ countries. Their NEW social impact venture, HopeWorks Canada, promises to enhance the beautifully established humanitarian work of ADRA Canada and equip a new generation with essential skills in an evolving global market. They’re launching Hope Harvest, a line of snackable cashews from Ghana, driven by a powerful mission. 🥜 After local farmers were forced to burn their cashew trees for charcoal due to unfair pricing, ADRA stepped in to rewrite this story. By ensuring fair prices, they uplift farmers and strengthen entire communities. 🌱 Each bite supports sustainable growth and reinvests in Ghanaian development. Snack with purpose! Steve has joined the Venturepark Accelerator to learn how to successfully launch and scale this impactful project. We’re excited to support Hope Harvest on this journey! ✨
If you are inspired by the success of the brands in our Cohort 18 roster, consider taking the next step in your own entrepreneurial journey by applying to our accelerator program. By joining our program, you gain access to expert mentorship, strategic insights, and a thriving community of like-minded entrepreneurs dedicated to helping you succeed.