Dedicated to getting more people outside, easily, Guita created Campertunity. Campertunity is an online marketplace where people can book a campsite on private land, nationwide. Campertunity is the first to bring camping to the shared economy in Canada.  While offering unique camping experiences, Campertunity builds community and helps sustain land. Promoting environmentally friendly travel, agri-tourism, and the maintenance of mental and physical health, Campertunity is fast growing with...

Pok Pok is an award-winning digital play company redefining how kids play and learn on devices. Melissa previously served as a Product Designer for The Walt Disney Company, was Head of Operations at renowned game studio Snowman and has led marketing and PR at start-ups both in Canada and Europe. She’s also an advocate and start-up mentor for women in tech and underrepresented founders. 

Cat Adalay is an experienced entrepreneur and business executive with a background in engineering, product design, and hardware development. This background was the perfect foundation to begin Aurea Technologies in 2017.  Rachel Carr joined Cat and Aurea when Cat was prototyping a wind energy system for residential applications. Together, Rachel and Cat saw an opportunity to scale down this innovation and this is when the Shine turbine began - a portable wind turbine that can fit in your...

Jessica is the CEO and co-founder of Apricotton, the only bra brand globally that designs bras that “grow” as girls grow, so girls can fit into the same bra when they develop from an A to D cup, helping the 90% of girls embarrassed to wear their first bra. She's personally leading Apricotton's Gen Z community, growing it to 170,000 followers and 30 million organic views on TikTok and Instagram by becoming girls’ online big sister. Apricotton has been featured in Global News, CTV Television...

As the CEO and Founder of Loba, Kate is innovating health and wellness by taking pill and supplement management from routine to ritual. Kate’s own health journey led her to to search for a solution that combined sleek organization, convenient reminders, and a positive sentiment around taking her pills. Finding nothing that resonated, Kate took the reins and created a platform for pill and supplement management that empowers rather than stigmatizes.

Inspired by his own experience with a tutor, Will realized the power of a great tutor and started TutorOcean in 2018. Just one year later, Will was approached by a university to offer the platform as a solution which led him to launch QuadC. Today, Will and his team support more than 50 higher institutions across North America and have more than 250,000 users across both products.

David Souaid is the Chief Revenue Officer and member of the board of directors at Journey Capital (formerly OnDeck Canada,) a leader in online small business lending. Journey Capital offers fast and flexible financing to founders so they can refuel their business. Journey Capital uses technology and also the guidance and advice of real business loan advisors to evaluate the financial needs of entrepreneurs and founders. 

Together, Berto, Phil, Anthony and Robert are creating products that men can start celebrating, instead of tolerating. When searching for a comfortable pair of boxers and finding nothing … they created their own and began Manmade. 

 The card aisle doesn’t often represent queer folks, so Heather decided to do something about it and create her own products for herself and her community.  Today, Little Rainbow Paper Co is a shop filled with cards, pins, mugs, ornaments, notepads and more that celebrate the queer and the quirky! Heather designs every product in her shop and the products exist to provide opportunities for members of the queer community to show love, affection, and joy for each other. 

Katie Young is the Founder of Klondike Kettle Corn. Katie blends her culinary expertise with a passion for community. With a background in restaurants and catering, Katie found her calling in crafting fresh, ready-to-eat popcorn experiences. As a devoted mom, outdoor enthusiast, and food lover, she sees popcorn as more than a snack—it's a vehicle for connection and joy. Whether summiting mountains or gathering around a campfire, Katie's dedication to family, friends, and community shines...

Jackie Rhind is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ovry, a brand of Canadian reproductive care products that includes pregnancy tests, ovulation tests, and an at-home male fertility test. Ovry tests are better alternatives to store-bought pregnancy and ovulation tests, which are wasteful, inconvenient, overpriced, and can often feel awkward or intimidating to buy. Compared to traditional tests, Ovry strip tests are tiny, discreet, just as accurate as any leading brand, much more affordable and each...

Amber Mac is President of AmberMac Media, Inc., an award-winning content development agency. In 2021, Amber was named one of the Bay Street Bull Women of the Year for her leadership in the technology sector. Amber has keynoted more than 500 events around the world, co-hosted a variety of podcast series, is a best selling author and more. Most recently, Amber is the host of Success in 7,an interview series featuring Canadian small business owners to learn their story, their challenges, and...

Ange Paye is a tech entrepreneur wth a background in product management and is passionate about building tech that helps businesses give back. VOTO is about community building, charitable giving and digital engagement, all in one platform.

Katie MacMillan is the Founder of Kello Inclusive – a talent agency that exclusively represents disabled and visibly different talent. Kello is the first agency of its kind in Canada!

Jonah Chininga is the Co-founder and CEO of Woveo, a venture-backed fintech company that's revolutionizing community savings and credit systems through its cutting-edge community wallet.

The inception of Peau De Loup in 2012 was Adelle's response to a blaring absence in the fashion landscape – a lack of brands challenging gender norms and catering to those who live and dress outside the binary. Together, Adelle and Ashlie are amplifying Peau De Loup's message of inclusivity, authenticity, strength and are creating a fashion landscape that speaks to the individual stories of all who embrace Peau De Loup.

Odutope Macauley-Okoro is the Founder of Topsie Crunchies Snacks Inc. specializing in the confectionery treats called Chin Chin. Inspired by her cultural traditions and passion for creating unique and flavorful snacks, Odutope started her business during the pandemic when she and her family craved African snacks. Odutope’s snacks have grown in popularity and are now available in some local stores in Halifax and are also shipped to customers across Canada.

Ivan Coyote is a writer and storyteller. Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, they are the author of thirteen books, the creator of four films, six stage shows, and three albums that combine storytelling with music. In this episode, they share a preview of their newest performance and talk about their storytelling process. 

Ellyce Fulmore is a queer and neurodivergent financial educator, content creator, author and the founder of Queerd Co., a financial literacy company. Her approach to financial literacy goes beyond the conventional, focusing on the intersectionality of identities and lived experiences. Ellyce is passionate about helping her online community of over half a million find the right tools, strategies and perspective to create a life where financial stability and joy coexist. Ellyce's book Keeping...

Animal food insecurity is a real crisis. Inspired by Odin and his owner in Kelowna, Nicole committed to making a difference for pets and their humans. Nicole Frey is the Founder of Animal Food Bank and in this episode she shares with us the ins and outs of feeding animals who need it most, across Canada. Nicole Frey is a distinguished entrepreneur and the co-founder of the Animal Food Bank, a significant initiative devoted to addressing pet food insecurity. Her journey into animal welfare...

We speak to so many entrepreneurs across Canada in a year. Join our Startup Canada Podcast host Rick Spence and our CEO and host of the Startup Women Podcast, Kayla Isabelle, as the two reflect on 2023. Be sure to check out Kayla's Startup Women Podcast at https://www.startupcan.ca/learn/startup-women-podcast/ For more episodes with Rick, check out https://www.startupcan.ca/learn/startup-canada-podcast/

We brought our podcast mic to the fifth and final Startup Canada Tour stop in Brampton on October 26! In this episode, hear from entrepreneurs who took part in the Pop-up Pitch Competition, and meet the top 3 winners of the 2023 Startup Global Pitch Competition Grand Finale.

“For memorykpr, a lot of my self motivation comes from spending time with my clients. To hear their stories is the best motivation." Jessica McNaughton is the Founder of memoryKPR and our 2023 People's Choice Award Winner. Jessica McNaughton is the Founder of memoryKPR, based in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan. MemoryKPR technologies are committed to connecting the world through story.

Mila Olumogba is a mother, entrepreneur and marketing executive who utilizes her lived experiences to highlight the importance of racial representation. Her debut children's story is out now, Dr.Santa and The Miracle Makers.  "It was the first time I had time to slow down, and to think. Colour Me Christmas was always something I wanted to start.”