What if grocery shopping became a concrete way to support local producers and reduce your environmental footprint? BocoBoco is an eco-friendly online grocery store working with over 100 local suppliers to offer a selection of more than 1,000 organic and gourmet food products. Our unique deposit-return system makes it easy to consume sustainably while enjoying the convenience of home delivery. BocoBoco has already prevented over 11 tons of waste and operates without generating food waste. Additionally, our organic products are, on average, 10% cheaper than those in traditional grocery stores. Shopping with BocoBoco means supporting local producers, choosing high-quality food, and actively contributing to the transition toward a circular economy.

Bruized is on a mission to fight food waste through sustainable snacks and education. The brand rescues perfectly good food and upcycles it into plant-based snacks, while inspiring healthy discussions about how everyone can combat food waste together. Monique and Justice, a team of two passionate women of colour, are driven to make a difference in the world. Monique studied food waste in her last year of university and saw it firsthand while working in restaurants and farmers markets. With her passion for plant-based cooking, sustainability, and health, she created Bruized with a dream of revolutionizing the food industry and fighting food waste. Justice is an interdisciplinary creative based in Toronto. She helps spread the Bruized message through her branding, graphics, and web design.

Folds was born out of necessity, innovation, and a deep desire to make a difference. As the founder of the renowned fashion label Nonie, Nina Kharey faced an unexpected pivot when COVID-19 struck as luxury clothing suddenly felt out of place. Determined to contribute to the fight, the brand shifted its focus when Nina witnessed the daily challenges faced by healthcare professionals, particularly the inadequacies of their scrubs. Observing their discomfort, Nina embarked on a journey to develop the best scrubs imaginable. Through extensive research and collaboration with a pioneering lab specializing in recyclable fabrics, Nina engineered a unique fabric that supports the environment and cares for the wearer’s skin. Ensuring maximum comfort and functionality, Folds allows healthcare workers to perform at their best. Folds scrubs are more than just workwear; they are a testament to the brand’s dedication to those who dedicate their lives to others.

ImaginAble Solutions is a social impact company dedicated to creating assistive technology that enhances the quality of life for people with disabilities. The journey began in 2019, when founder and biomedical engineer Lianna Genovese met Elissa, a woman with Cerebral Palsy who loved to paint but lost her ability to hold a paintbrush. Inspired to help her friend, Lianna invented the company’s first product, Guided Hands®, an assistive device that enables children and adults with limited hand mobility to write, paint, draw, and use communication devices. Today, Guided Hands® is used in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, and homes across 24 countries, promoting self-expression, independence, and the development of sensory-motor skills.

Lesley Hampton is an award-winning Indigenous designer celebrated for redefining fashion through inclusivity and representation. She champions diverse beauty and empowers all body types and backgrounds. Her designs have dressed icons like Sandra Oh and Lily Gladstone, gracing red carpets and global fashion stages. Lesley has received the Fashion Impact Award from the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, been a guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race, and continues to break barriers as a model and speaker. With a mission to inspire and challenge fashion norms, her work blends inclusive luxury with powerful storytelling through fashion.

After leaving their decade-long corporate careers, co-founders Sheba Zaidi and Genevive Savundranayagam started Mahara Mindfulness in late 2020. Drawing from years of personal experience in journaling, meditating, breath work, and more, Sheba and Genevive deeply understood the immense healing power of a lifestyle rooted in mindfulness and wanted to bring that to the world. Their first product, The Human Being Journal is a monthly, guided tool that helps people manage their mental health, provide perspective and live their best life.

Paintillio began with Lyssa’s professional skills as an artist and Jess identifying a business opportunity after witnessing Lyssa meticulously hand-drawing custom paint-by-number projects for friends and family. Together, they realized that by going digital, they could bring customized paint-by-numbers to a global audience. With a variety of options to choose from — whether in-person or online, murals or canvases, team-building events or personalized gifts — each work of art is customized. Paintillio’s small but mighty team builds every kit by hand in their beautiful studio on the Sunshine Coast, BC.

Remix Snacks began its humble journey with nutrition students studying dietetics at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. After learning about the abundance of food waste in Canada and the lack of bean-based snacks in grocery stores, the brand started to conceptualize their first product. Testing different recipes between classes and clinical internships, the first iteration of their snack, Bean Bark, was born. Fast forward to the present day and their products are now sold in over 700 grocery locations at retailers across Canada. To date, Remix Snacks has saved over 10,600 kg of upcycled fruits and vegetables, and continues to seek ways to create a positive impact in the Canadian food industry while providing healthy snack alternatives that everyone can enjoy.

Shawish Market is an Indigenize custom built platform that empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs. It doesn’t charge any vendor fees and is part of a mission to remove economic barriers and foster sustainable growth within Indigenous communities. Shawish is unique not only in its fee structure but also in its vendor verification process. We ensure that all products sold are authentic and directly benefit Indigenous communities. The founder, Amanda Bernard, is a proud member of the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation and a passionate advocate for Indigenous entrepreneurship and art. While working with Indigenous communities, Amanda observed the remarkable talent of many Indigenous artists creating beautiful products like beaded works, clothing, and art. However, these artists were not receiving the exposure they deserved. Motivated by a desire to celebrate these talented artists and encourage the continuation of traditional practices, Amanda founded Shawish.

Maggie Frith and Libby Brewer-Dulac are the creative forces behind The Magpie Cakery, a vibrant community hub blending a cozy bakeshop, an engaging baking school, and a supportive incubator for food entrepreneurs. Maggie, a former lawyer turned baker, channeled her passion for baking into The Magpie Cakery, offering events and workshops that bring people together to celebrate life’s sweet moments. With thousands of participants and glowing reviews, Maggie inspires bakers of all levels. Libby brings her expertise in food entrepreneurship and love of cake design to the partnership. Her dedication to empowering women-led businesses has helped shape the Incubator into a hub of culinary creativity and support for small food businesses in Toronto. Together, Maggie and Libby have created a welcoming destination where customers can enjoy baked goods, learn new skills, and bring their food business dreams to life.