Food, Drink, and Consumer Products

Born and raised in Whitby Ontario, myself and my wife and business partner moved to Toronto for 10 years to work in fine dining establishments to help hone our skills and improve our knowledge of the hospitality industry. We moved back to our hometown in 2019 which was the first step in our plans to open our own restaurant in the community that we love. The Springwood opened its doors in May of 2023 and is hyper-seasonal and locally focused. We offer a sharing or family style type menu with a tasting menu available as well. We love what we do and we are happy to have received such a warm reception from our community in the first 1.5 years we have been open.

Paige Cey is the co-founder and co-CEO of Benny, the energy brand reinventing the way energy feels. After transforming her mental and physical "rock bottom" with major lifestyle changes, including cutting the excessive caffeine and incorporating superfoods like adaptogens and nootropics, Paige knew her and her co-founder, Julie Letizia, needed to share these ingredients with the world. In a little over a year since launching, Benny has been featured in Forbes, Food + Wine, Inc Magazine, and by this summer the Benny Everyday Energy Drinks will be in 2,500+ stores nationwide. 

I’m originally from Collingwood, ont. I moved out east to study business and fell in love with Halifax. I have since opened 2 businesses one of which I sold in 2022 now focusing all my attention on my current business - Bliss Caffeine Bar. We are a brunch restaurant with a focus on high quality coffee and out of this world pastries and treats.

Bunny Ghatrora is the COO and co-founder of Blume, a self-care and skincare startup breaking taboos and redefining beauty standards. Alongside her sister, she built Blume into an award-winning brand that creates clean, effective, and uncomplicated skincare designed for acne-prone and sensitive skin. With over 400,000 happy customers, Blume is now sold nationwide at Sephora and ULTA Beauty. A Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient and 500 Startups Alumni, Bunny is passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship, and empowering the next generation through education and transparency in skincare. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, watching sunsets, and DIY home projects.

Reading Readymade and working with select clients and brand partners (RAINS) to develop and operate retail (pop-ups & stores) and experiences (events, activations, & immersive environments) that drive growth. Investing in, advising, and helping teams grow sustainably through Vyas Ventures. I am a strong generalist and leader with a bias for action and an entrepreneurial spirit. I like creating and executing on new ideas and initiatives. Solving complex problems and building high functioning teams give me immense pleasure. I have a strong understanding of the importance of brand and design and am always curiously learning about emerging companies, concepts, and technologies. I’ve had the privilege to learn from some incredible leaders, colleagues, teachers, and classmates throughout my career and academic journeys. I have considerable experience in fintech (payments, wealth management, personal finance, DeFi) and retail (commercial real estate, development, operations). I have built and continually refined my skills in business development, sales, marketing, growth and GTM, project management, customer success, business operations, business strategy, and financial and data analysis. Challenges drive me to strive for excellence in any endeavour I am involved in. I am passionate about business (finance, strategy, international business, real estate, retail), technology, leadership/people development, politics, sports, and different global cultures (especially the food!). I'm always looking to learn new things, work with awesome people, level up my existing skillset and ultimately execute to make an outstanding impact on not only the bottom line, but also on society.

At 15, I launched my first ecommerce project, sparking a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. I've dabbled in everything from video game accessories to apparel, constantly learning and growing.

In university, fueled by purpose, I co-founded a headwear brand, committed to making a difference. Our pledge to donate a portion of sales to ocean cleanup led to a profound realization: our industry's impact on our planet.

Determined to be part of the solution, we embarked on a journey to create something truly sustainable. Three years of hard work, countless prototypes, and a whole lot of determination later, we proudly introduced the world's first durable headwear with a biodegradable brim.

Jake Karls is a different type of business leader: Unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of BS. He is the Co-founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the better-for-you chocolate snacking brand that turned a kitchen-table dream into a North American household name. Mid-Day Squares is leading the disruption of the chocolate industry. Jake is recognized as a rising star in the business world. He's currently a finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards, lead the category for Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for (Food and Beverage), and is featured as a regular contributor to media outlets across North America.

As a child with an active sweet tooth I started baking before I could read. Often mixing the vanilla extra with maple or pepermint. Mistakes were made. I worked in kitchens as a teenager and worked every station in a working kitchen. I've worked in kitchens for 20 years now. The Industry has many flaws. I have always wanted to create a work place that treated workers fairly and fostered a kind work environment. I opened my bakery in 2020 with almost no start up capital after being let go during the covid lock downs. Paying workers fairly means I often don't pay myself at all. I'm so happy to have my dream bakery , I only wish I had more to give to the people in my comminuty.

Fisayo Olowolafe is a visionary LiFE DESiGNER. His artistic language is childlike & whimsical in nature. Starting his career with avant garde experimental music videos for artists LA.TIMPA & Blood Orange. He would later be the creative force behind the brand LaRopa. With a deep understanding of streetwear, luxury, and cultural movements, he has worked alongside industry icons such as Raf Simons, Leilah Weinraub, and Matthew Williams, shaping his approach to fashion with global influences. He now is a partner for GroceryBags & Co-Founder of Life Design. Which is positioned to redefine what Manila’s luxury is. books made out of fabric, no menswear or womenswear, just funwear with the raw energy of street culture. By merging elevated design with forward-thinking aesthetics, the brand is set to bridge the gap between Manila’s emerging fashion identity and the global luxury market. With a focus on storytelling, exclusivity, and artistic expression, Life Design is poised to be a cultural movement as much as a brand, setting new standards for Filipino luxury fashion. Through strategic collaborations, innovative design, and a commitment to quality, Fisayo continues to push boundaries, proving that Manila can be a key player in the international fashion landscape.